By the stamp is given by the New Zealand Post:
Sir Michael Fay rated New Zealand’s changes of winning the Cup (in 1992) the best yet. The New Zealand Challenge seemed to capture the imagination of the whole country, as did the first New Zealand America’s Cup Challenge in 1987. But 1992 was not the year for New Zealand’s win.
The yacht used in the challenge was the NZL-20 an IACC class yacht, and she is also depict on this stamp, the yacht was designed by Bruce Farr for the New Zealand Challenge syndicate (Michael Fay.)
1990 launched with the sail number NZL-20, a red hulled yacht painted on the hull NEW ZEALAND.
The hull was made of carbon fibre, the length is about 25m.
Sail area 750 square metres.
Crew 17.
Four new boats were built: two identical yachts for testing purposes; a third development model; the fourth a quite radical design. Before the wraps were off the fourth boat, it was being dubbed a breakthrough.
Farr's breakthrough boat, NZL-20, was smaller, wider and lighter than any of the others in the class of '92. Underneath the skiff-like hull, which had no side-decks down aft, was a complex keel, comprising a bulb suspended on two supports rather than the conventional single strut. Known as a tandem or turning fork keel it was very effective in generating lift, which helped speed the boat upwind. The downside was that it was difficult to steer. Another significant difference was that the NZL-20 flew its downwind asymmetrical spinnakers from a permanent bowsprit instead of the demountable spinnaker poles used by the other syndicates.
NZL-20 was dubbed "a skiff on steroids". New Zealand performed extremely well through the round robins and semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Series under skipper Rod Davies at San Diego, California. In the finals it was down to New Zealand and the Italian Il Moro di Venezia campaign. New Zealand streaked out to a 4-1 lead in the final. Just one more win and they could claim the right to race for the America's Cup. However the Italians launched a series of protests against the use of the New Zealand bowsprit, which knocked the New Zealanders spirit eventually drawing them level at 4-4 and then taking the clincher. For New Zealand it was a stunning loss.
http://www.sirpeterblaketrust.org/about ... u7zBv.dpuf
2000 She was restored and most probably fitted out also with 150 hp Yanmar diesel. At that time she was owned privately in San Francisco.
2005 Returned to New Zealand.
Around 2014 was she at a dry-birth in Auckland and for sale.
New Zealand 1992 $1.50 sg1658, scott1088
Source: Internet various sites,