1988 Louis Vuitton America's Cup poster, 30 x 20, with the United States and New Zealand flags. In 1983 the Vuitton company joined with America's Cup to form the preliminary competition to select the team to sail as the challenger in the America's Cup. The 1988 Vuitton Cup was uncontested. The 1988 America's Cup was between the defender, San Diego Yacht Club represented by Stars and Stripes H3, and the challenger, the Mercury Bay Boating Club represented by New Zealand Challenge's KZ-1.