America's Cup Smashed with Sledge Hammer

Sailing's most prized trophy was destroyed around 12:15 p.m. yesterday by a man wielding a sledgehammer. The man, dressed in a suit walked into the Royal New Zeeland Yacht Squadron clubhouse and proceeded to the room where the Cup is displayed in a glass case.

After the destructive frenzy started, the man was wrestled to the ground by club employees. The man was arrested by police shortly after the attack and suffered minor injuries from flying glass.

It appears the man walked by club officials without notice, up a set of stair to trophy room with the sledge hammer hidden in his suit.

The Cup was seriously damaged with scratches and dents. The America's Cup is insured by Sun Alliance, according to a TV New Zealand report. The Cup, originally built by R. & G. Garrard of London, will be repaired, if possible. If it cannot be repaired, it will reconstructed in England from the original drawings, according to the Associated Press report.

NY Yacht Club's Vice Commodore Reacts to
the Destruction of the America's Cup

Statement From New York Yacht Club Vice Commodore George M. Isdale

When Commodore Heise of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron called to inform us, we were shocked and saddened by the news of the attack on the America's Cup trophy.

The America's Cup trophy is the oldest trophy in competitive sport and one that sailors from this club defended for 132 years.

We are sure the people of New Zealand are as distressed as we are about this senseless act of violence. We know that New Zealand treasures the America's Cup.

Despite any physical damage to the Cup, we know that the values and traditions it represents will never be tarnished.