The America's Cup

A race steeped in history, the cup at stake in this regatta is the oldest active trophy known to international sport. The America’s Cup, originally the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup, takes it’s name from the yacht that first won it – the schooner America.

The America’s Cup is a hotly contested race.

First taken at a British regatta in 1851 by a charter member of the New York Yacht Club, Commodore John Cox Stevens, the Cup was gifted to the club with the specified instructions that it be held for challenge to promote friendly competition between nations.

At times the challenging is not so friendly.

A yacht club that meets the requirements established in Stevens’ Deed of Gift may challenge the club that holds the cup. If the challengers win the match, the cup’s ownership is transferred.

The New York Yacht Club held the cup from 1857 until 1983 – the longest winning streak in the history of sport. But there is no shortage of challengers.