Yachting: History of America's Cup controversy

Alinghi's Pieter van Nieuwenhuyzen helps to drop the mainsail, sparking a protest from Team New Zealand.

View photos Team NZ protest dismissed

America's Cup officials have dismissed Team New Zealand's protest with a majority decision. The oldest international sporting event in the world has had more than it's fair share of protest and controversy. Here are some of the highlights.

1870
Englishman James Ashbury challenges for the America's Cup but finds himself in a race against the entire New York Yacht Club fleet. He is not impressed.

1895
Valkyrie III is disqualified by the race committee after he claims the American boat Defender was cheating. The controversy was so big that some people thought it could spell the end of the America's Cup.

1934
The Endeavour, skippered by Thomas Sopwith, protested at the start and around the first mark. The American boat - the Rainbow won 3-2

1983
When Australia II arrived in the States with it's hull shrouded in canvas, people began to talk. And when Australia II won the cup, the New York Yacht Club cried foul. It was not successful.

1988
This was the year "Dirty Dennis" and his infamous catamaran won the cup. Court action by New Zealand found in their favour but an appeal went to Dennis Conner and his Stars and Stripes.

Full coverage of the America's Cup from nzherald.co.nz/americascup and desktoptv.co.nz