The inaugural Nations Cup in 1991 saw six regional qualifiers in each of Denmark, Italy, Greece, Brazil, Bermuda and Japan, with the Grand Final in Barcelona, Spain. At that time only sailed in an Open division, the title was won by Ed BAIRD (USA). The 1991 Nations Cup Grand Final was the climax of over 1,000 races sailed by some 50 countries.
Moving onto 1993, preceding the Grand Final in Holland, the qualifiers were held in Finland, France, United Arab Emirates, Peru, USA and Singapore, with Roy HEINER (NED) taking the Open Title and Helena STRANG (SWE) the women’s event.
The 1995 Nations Cup saw San Francisco, USA host the Grand Final, with the qualifying events in South Africa, Croatia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada and Chile. The Open Event was won by South Africa’s Bruce SAVAGE, with the women’s title claimed by Susan WALTERS (AUS).
The Nations Cup had a very successful rejuvenation in 2006, hosting more than 50 nations in eight Regional Finals held around the world. The top teams in the Regional Finals met at the Grand Final at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, with France winning both the Women’s and Open divisions, led by skippers Claire LEROY and Mathieu RICHARD.