As we countdown to the 35th America’s Cup The Royal Gazette will bring you one fun fact a day about the boats, the sailors, the crew, or the history of this illustrious competition. There are now 29 days until the month-long sporting spectacle gets under way.

In 1929 Sir Thomas Lipton, owner of Lipton’s famous for his import of Lipton Tea from India, issued his fifth challenge to the Americans for the America’s Cup. He commissioned the build of the first J Class Yacht, Shamrock V, which signified the start of a new era in design evolution and racing.

The addition of the new design Bermuda mast allowed the yachts to carry a huge sail plan. Nothing so large and “awesome” had been built previously.

In June the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda will be graced by the J Class fleet. These majestic titans of sail competed for the Cup during the 1930s and are perhaps still some of the most famous yachts afloat. Only ten J Class yachts were ever built, of which three originals survive today, including Shamrock V and Endeavour which raced for the America’s Cup in 1930 and 1934 respectively.

“The Js still epitomise grace and power with cutting-edge design and engineering,” said Sir Russell Coutts, the America’s Cup Event Authority chief executive officer. “Having the J Class join us in Bermuda will create a spectacular blend between the old and new, showcasing the best of America’s Cup challengers and defenders from almost 90 years apart.”

The J Class fleet will be berthed at the Hamilton Princess Marina and the regatta will take place on 16, 19, and 20 of June.