America’s Cup Defender Changes Club Burgee

When Larry Ellison sought to launch his first America’s Cup, he interviewed several yacht clubs to be his club of record. The history of the event saw clubs organize the campaigns, but Larry wanted a club that would relinquish control to his team.

So it would be for the 31st America’s Cup in 2003, Larry’s would enter under the Golden Gate Yacht Club burgee. But now, in his team’s fifth campaign with GGYC, a memo sent to the membership announces the burgee has been changed.

With a heritage of competitive and member generosity, the Golden Gate Yacht Club has stood as a hallmark San Francisco institution since 1939. Our club has hosted many popular Bay Area regattas, including the 34th America’s Cup in 2013. In partnership with Oracle Team USA, our club is the official Defender of the forthcoming 35th America’s Cup to be raced in Bermuda in June 2017.

In recognition of our unique partnership, The Golden Gate Yacht Club is introducing a special edition burgee. The America’s Cup Defender Burgee honors our organization’s heritage and values while heralding our leadership position in the modern world of sailing.

This burgee boasts a field of bold navy blue representing consistency, calmness and intensity. The new pattern, laid out in competitive red, hints at the silhouette of the Golden Gate Bridge while underscoring the technology-driven complexion of high performance racing. The burgee is complemented by a practical, elegant typeface that reflects strength and hospitality. A special thanks to the GGYC America’s Cup Committee for their unanimous approval of the Defender Burgee and to member Larry Ellison for its modern and unique design.

This special edition burgee will complement our original and time-honored burgee, which remains the official Golden Gate Yacht Club Burgee. Any official correspondence utilizing our letterhead will still require the original burgee to be displayed. The new special edition Defender Burgee can and may be displayed in the same manner as the original burgee during the defense of the 35th America’s Cup Regatta. Club clothing items with the new burgee will be available soon for sales.

– GGYC general manager, May 5, 2016.