New Zealanders are a sporting lot and they're immensely proud of their recent successes in the yachting world.

The islanders are getting ready for their second defense of the America's Cup. On Jan. 8, New Zealand's post office issued another set on the famous challenge race - three stamps showing yachts in action. In October, New Zealand released three stamps showing action from its successful defense of the cup in 2000.

The harbor city of Auckland, New Zealand, will be host for the sailing event starting Feb. 15.

Boaters say Hauraki Gulf at Auckland is a great venue for the America's Cup races. It's partially landlocked with picturesque backdrops and challenging racing conditions.

Team New Zealand will race in a yacht with a controversial double-hull design. It includes an appendage that has the effect of lengthening the boat without getting the vessel penalized.

The America's Cup is the world's oldest sports trophy, first awarded in 1851. That was the year the New York Yacht Club sent the schooner America to England to race British yachts. The Royal Yacht Squadron put up the trophy and America beat 17 other boats in a race around the Isle of Wight. It was called the Hundred-Guinea Cup then. In 1857, the trophy was deeded to the New York Yacht Club to become an international challenge trophy. It was then called the America's Cup, and it has been that way since.

The New York Yacht Club had its way in the sailing competitions for more than 100 years, beating all challengers. That changed in 1983 when Australia II, representing the Royal Perth Yacht Club, defeated the American yacht Liberty in a tight seven-race series.

Stars and Stripes, from the San Diego Yacht Club, regained the cup for the Americans in 1987.

But the trophy went back Down Under in 1995 when the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron beat an American entry. Team New Zealand successfully defended the cup in 2000 by beating Luna Rossa of Italy. 

By Larry Duhe, MyInky