[1] The match racing rules were set so that you could have two similar boats within a box rule, which specifies a maximum overall size for boats in the class, as well as features such as stability, that could go head to head in attempt to find the best sailing crews and teams.
Briggs Cunningham also won the first America's Cup that was held which incorporated the box rule.
Since the Omega Gold Cup was a great success, match racing grew exponentially and created a new form of competitive sailing that had to have its rules managed and standardized.
Once the boats round the windward mark again they are on the fourth and final leg where they race downwind towards the finish in hope of winning.
As a result of this, special pre-start routines have been developed [4] and two other tactics that arise from this mind-set are tight coverage and drawing fouls.
That way the winning boat is insured against losing the lead due to a wind shift that favors the right side of the course.
The Tour comprises a series of 9 events which cross 3 continents during the season combining the adrenaline fuelled excitement of match racing with close to shore racing which provides spectacular heart of the action views for the on shore audience.
The championship series uses identical locally supplied racing yachts and includes such world class sailing venues as: Marseille, St. Moritz, Portimao, Kuala Terengganu, Gyeonggi and Hamilton.
[6] The Bermuda Gold Cup is still an annual event which is a key stage of the World Match Racing Tour.
[7] Other notable match racing events in sailing include the Canada's Cup and the Richardson Trophy, both held on the Great Lakes.
The Richardson Trophy is governed and sponsored by the Yacht Racing Union of the Great Lakes.
The race is sailed off of the Belmont Pier in Long Beach, CA, and attracts many Sailors who go on to compete in the America's Cup.