The America’s Cup this month welcomes San Diego business executive and yachtsman Malin Burnham as the newest member of the America’s Cup Hall of Fame. A ceremony celebrating the induction of Burnham and erstwhile archrival Michael Fay takes place during this year’s America’s Cup competition on Feb. 17 in Auckland, New Zealand.

For two decades, Burnham was a high achiever among America’s Cup sportsmen. His America’s Cup career began at age 46 as a helmsman on the Enterprise, followed by three successive seasons on skipper Dennis Conner’s yachts Freedom, Liberty and Stars & Stripes. Thereafter, Burnham served as chairman of the America’s Cup Regatta in 1988 and 1992, representing the San Diego Yacht Club.

Burnham credits San Diego with a key role in achieving his most recent honor, observing that “competition begs for additional competition, so other world class sailors move here.” Burnham is proud that San Diego has become home to the most world champion sailors from both Olympic and America’s Cup racing.

The Hall of Fame ceremony will cap two decades of competition between Burnham and New Zealander Fay, who spearheaded his country’s entry into America’s Cup racing during the 1980s. Burnham and Fay were frequently portrayed as fierce competitors, but over the years have become close friends. They will be joined in the America’s Cup Hall of Fame by marine photographer Stanley Rosenfeld, who received the announcement of his selection shortly before he died in 2002.

Burnham and his wife, Roberta, will travel to New Zealand to attend the ceremony, as well as the first four races of the America’s Cup Regatta, which begins Feb. 15.

— Max Donner