Wellington: The America’s Cup’s most successful sailor, New Zealander Russell Coutts, announced on Saturday he is walking away from yachting’s most glamorous event.

The five-time winner of the oldest international sporting trophy said his involvement in the competition was over, even as his homeland prepares to host the next regatta in 2021.

“I don’t really have any ambitions to continue with the America’s Cup at this point,” Coutts told yachtingnz.org.nz.

“I have had quite a few years involved with it — loved it, fantastic event — but there are other things to do in life.”

Coutts, 55, has dominated the America’s Cup for nearly two decades.