The America’s Cup Hall of Fame welcomes Josh Belsky, Bob Fisher, Kevin Shoebridge, and Juan Vila
by Herreshoff Marine Museum 17 Oct 07:10 PDT
Museu Marítim © Daniel Forster © America’s Cup Hall of Fame
During the 37th Match for the America’s Cup, a ceremony at Barcelona’s historic Museu Marítim celebrated the induction of four new members into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame.
These new inductees join the over 100 individuals who have influenced the 173-year history of the world’s oldest international sporting competition:
Josh Belsky (USA)
Bob Fisher (GBR)
Juan Vila (ESP)
Kevin Shoebridge (NZL)
Additionally, the Sir Richard Francis Sutton Medal, an occasional award presented to individuals who embody the spirit of “friendly competition between foreign countries,” was bestowed upon:
Vincenzo “Cino” Ricci (ITA)
Louis Vuitton (FRA)
Chairman of the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, Steven Tsuchiya remarked, “The Class of 2024 perfectly embodies the Hall of Fame and the allure of the America’s Cup. They join the ranks of other legends of the Cup, and we express our gratitude for the significant impact they have had on the sport.”
Gary Jobson (USA), a winning tactician of the America’s Cup and a Hall of Fame inductee (2003), served as Master of Ceremonies at the event, presented by L’Oréal Groupe. Jobson noted, “The splendid museum hall was filled with renowned figures in sailing. The audience appreciated the heartfelt acceptance speeches, reflecting on the achievements of the Class of 2024 America’s Cup Hall of Fame Inductees.”
In concluding the evening’s events, Bill Lynn, President and Executive Director of the Herreshoff Marine Museum/America’s Cup Hall of Fame, expressed his gratitude to presenting sponsor L’Oréal Groupe and congratulated the winners. “To Cino Ricci and our colleagues at Louis Vuitton, congratulations on receiving the Sir Richard Francis Sutton Medal. It’s fair to say that the America’s Cup would not be what it is today without your contributions. To Josh, Kevin, Juan, and the Fishers, you inspire everyone here. Regardless of the challenges faced, you’ve succeeded with integrity. Congratulations on your well-earned induction into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame.”
The Class of 2025 for the America’s Cup Hall of Fame and the location of the next induction gala will be revealed in early 2025.
America’s Cup Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Josh Belsky (USA) (born 1966)
Josh Belsky sailed with five America’s Cup teams, claiming victory three times: with Bill Koch’s defender America 3 in 1992 and with Ernesto Bertarelli’s Swiss Alinghi team as a successful challenger in 2003 and defender in 2007.
Josh began sailing at the age of five in Rye, New York, and built a remarkably diverse career as a sought-after racing crew member, winning the 1988-89 Volvo Ocean Race with EF Language under skipper Paul Cayard (USA).
Outside of racing, Josh served as a crucial link between designers, sailors, and builders. He played an essential role in optimizing the deck layouts of his teams’ boats, harmonizing the designers’ visions with the crew’s requirements and construction realities.
By joining the Hall of Fame, Josh acknowledges the importance of not only sailors and designers but also essential shore-based roles critical for a successful campaign.
Bob Fisher (GBR) (1935 – 2021)
The America’s Cup became a major aspect of Bob’s life, from his childhood days in Brightlingsea, Essex, where local fishermen wore jerseys featuring the names of the 1930s’ J-Class yachts, to attending his first Match in 1970 in Newport, Rhode Island.
Bob was a prolific chronicler of the America’s Cup through print, radio, and television, culminating in his two-volume work, An Absorbing Interest, published in 2007. This 544-page history stands as an authoritative account of every Match from 1851 to 2007, featuring extensive extracts from correspondence between many Cup competitors, some published for the first time through Bob’s 15 years of diligent research.
Bob also reshaped the narrative regarding Earl of Dunraven’s challenges with Valkyrie II and III in 1893 and 1895 by studying Thomas Wyndham-Quin’s personal papers in the Dunraven family archive in Ireland. This led to the Hall of Fame induction of the 3rd Earl in 2016, more than a century after the disputed 1895 match.
Bob authored or co-authored over 30 books, including 12-metre Images, showcasing his photography of the former America’s Cup class.
Juan Vila (ESP) (born 1961 in Barcelona)
Juan impressively participated in 10 consecutive America’s Cup campaigns, beginning with the Espana 92 team in San Diego in 1992 and continuing through the current 37th Match held in his hometown of Barcelona.
He has raced in five America’s Cup matches, winning three times with the Swiss Alinghi team in 2003 and 2007 in Auckland and Valencia as the onboard navigator, and with Oracle Team USA in San Francisco in 2013, where he served as a shore-based meteorologist and electronic systems expert. Juan particularly treasures the 2003 victory, as it marked the first time a European challenger won the America’s Cup.
A civil engineering graduate from the Universitat Politècnica de Barcelona, Juan’s expertise in electronic and performance systems made him a highly sought-after navigator, analyst, and versatile sailor.
He also competed in the Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Race five times, starting with the 1989/90 edition. In 2002/03, he won aboard the German entry, illbruck, becoming the first Spanish sailor to win this prestigious round-the-world race.
Kevin Shoebridge (NZL) (born 1963)
Kevin has played a crucial role in four victorious America’s Cup campaigns, beginning as a crew member in New Zealand’s first challenge aboard KZ-7 in Fremantle in 1987. He was also a trimmer on NZL-32 when the Kiwis captured the Cup for the first time in 1995, defeating Dennis Conner’s American defender off San Diego.
The continuity of New Zealand’s America’s Cup team was disrupted by the untimely passing of Sir Peter Blake in 2001 and the departure of key sailors to the Swiss Alinghi campaign. Kevin rejoined Team New Zealand in 2003 under Grant Dalton’s leadership and has worked alongside him ever since, helping to reestablish the Kiwi team as a formidable contender in the America’s Cup.
As co-leader of Emirates Team New Zealand, Kevin has effectively managed the design, construction, sailing, and operations of the team.
His calm demeanor and collaborative approach are highly valued, exemplifying effectiveness in maximizing potential with fewer resources compared to other countries’ teams. This has contributed to Emirates Team New Zealand’s successful 2017 challenge in Bermuda and 2021 defense in Auckland.
Like fellow inductees Josh Belsky and Juan Vila, Kevin is also a Round the World Race champion, playing a vital role in Sir Peter Blake’s 1989/90 victorious Whitbread crew aboard Steinlager 2.
Sir Richard Francis Sutton Medal – 2024 Honorees
Vincenzo “Cino” Ricci (ITA) (born 1934)
Cino Ricci is notable for serving as the skipper and project manager of Italy’s first America’s Cup team.
In 1983, his 12-metre Azzurra won 24 out of 49 races, finishing 3rd in the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger trials. This remarkable performance for a debutant on the international stage popularized competitive sailing in Italy.
Although he stepped back from America’s Cup racing in 1987, Cino helped maintain public enthusiasm for the sport as a commentator and journalist, inspiring new generations of Italian sailors and neighboring Europeans to aspire for the America’s Cup. Even at nearly 90 years old, Cino remains one of Italy’s most recognized and cherished sports figures.
Louis Vuitton (FRA) (established 1854)
Louis Vuitton first appeared in the America’s Cup arena in 1983 with a trophy for the Challenger Races. Since then, the iconic French luxury brand has sponsored every challenger series, except one (2021), evolving into a name synonymous with the America’s Cup challenger selection process.
By becoming the title sponsor, Louis Vuitton brought style and a top-tier sporting and cultural event status to the Cup, drawing in other sponsors for both the event and competing teams. Recently, Louis Vuitton even extended sponsorship to the Match itself.
The Hall of Fame has inducted the two pivotal figures who initiated Louis Vuitton’s sponsorship of the regatta: Bruno Troublé (Class of 2007) and Henri Racamier (Class of 2019).
The America’s Cup Hall of Fame Selection Committee:
R. Steven Tsuchiya, Chair
Margherita Bottini
John S. Burnham
Brad Butterworth
William Collier
Richard Gladwell
Jack Griffin
Halsey Herreshoff
Tim Jeffery
Gary Jobson
Andrew Johns
Murray Jones
William H. Dyer Jones
John Lammerts van Beuren
Ken McAlpine
Elizabeth Meyer
Shirley Robertson
Blue Robinson
Hamish Ross
Mike Toppa
Bruno Troublé
Tom Whidden
