page_title: New Zealand Challenge
section_title: 1988: Big Boat Challenge
hierarchical_section_title: New Zealand Challenge / 1988: Big Boat Challenge
caption_attribution_description: "New Zealand" KZ-1 commonly known as "Big Boat"
context_page_description: New Zealand Challenge was a sailing team funded by Michael Fay that challenged for the America's Cup three times between 1987 and 1992. New Zealand Challenge was the first team from New Zealand to enter the competition.
context_section_description: Five months after the completion of the Royal Perth Yacht Club's America's Cup competition, Fay issued a challenge to the San Diego Yacht Club. Using a strict reading of the Deed of Gift, Fay realized he could challenge with any yacht that was 90 feet (27 m) or less at the waterline and require the defending yacht club to meet him in ten months time. He worked with designer Bruce Farr and Tom Schnackenberg to build a gigantic monohull called New Zealand or KZ 1. The boat was built by Steve Martin in Mt Wellington, Auckland and was launched on 27 March 1988.
  Skippered by David Barnes with tactician Peter Lester, she was the maximum 23.47 m (77.0 ft) along the waterline, and was said to be the fastest monohull keelboat in the world at the time. However, as the Deed of Gift was being used to force the competition, the San Diego Yacht Club responded by taking advantage of the vague wording of the Deed and built a catamaran, Stars & Stripes (US 1), for the defense. Conner and his catamaran easily beat the big boat, KZ 1, 2-0 in the Deed of Gift races.  
  Fay challenged this outcome in court, claiming the defenders were "not sporting" in sailing a catamaran against his big boat. He won the initial ruling, but the finding of the lower court was overturned on appeal, and the outcome on the water was made to stand. The appellate court decision was then upheld when Fay pressed the issue before the New York State Court of Appeals.
  KZ 1 can still be seen in the Viaduct Harbour, outside the entrance to the New Zealand National Maritime Museum in Auckland, New Zealand.
caption: KZ1 on display
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