Published on October 11, 2024 at 8:27 p.m. / Modified on October 11, 2024 at 8:29 p.m.
When Ernesto Bertarelli set out at the beginning of this century to conquer the America’s Cup, a good number of Swiss people had no particular expectations on this subject while the rest did not know what it was all about. The silver ewer which adorned the window of the Société Nautique de Genève from 2003 to 2010 is nothing less than the oldest sporting trophy in the world*. This historical dimension does not escape the English, who love sport as much as history and the sea, and who for 173 years have had an intimate and painful relationship with a trophy that they put on the line in 1851 but never won.
In 36 editions, no nation has so stubbornly tried its luck, with 23 participations including 10 as finalists. None have so invariably failed. Four countries have one day won (United States, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland) but none flying the British flag. A wound that has never healed for a people so proud of the triumphs of their navy, then of their 32 Olympic sailing titles. The extent of this coming disaster seemed to lie entirely in the pithy explanation of the text once given to Queen Victoria: “Ah, Your Majesty, there is no second.» Only glory or dishonor.
Explore and support “Le Temps” with a one-year subscription at -50%
Flash Sale: -50% on digital subscriptions!
A year of reliable information at half price. Offer valid until October 15, 2024.
I subscribe
Good reasons to subscribe to Le Temps:
- Unlimited access to all content available on the website.
- Unlimited access to all content available on the mobile application
- Sharing plan of 5 articles per month
- Consultation of the digital version of the newspaper from 10 p.m. the day before
- Access to supplements and T, the Temps magazine, in e-paper format
- Access to a set of exclusive benefits reserved for subscribers
Already a subscriber?
Log in
Related News :