The America’s Cup
is the most prestigious regatta and Match Race in
the sport of sailing, and the oldest active trophy
in international sport, predating the Modern
Olympics by 45 years. The sport attracts top sailors
and yacht designers because of its long history and
prestige as the “Holy Grail” of yachting. Although
the most salient aspect of the regatta is its yacht
races, it is also a test of boat design, sail
design, fundraising, and management skills. The cup,
originally offered as the Royal Yacht Squadron cup,
is now named after the first yacht to win the
trophy, the schooner America. The trophy remained in
the hands of the New York Yacht Club of the United
States from 1852 or 1857 (when the syndicate that
won the Cup donated the trophy to the club) until
1983 when the Cup was won by the challenger,
Australia II of Australia, ending the longest
winning streak in the history of sport. The skipper
of Australia II, John Bertrand, was quoted in
saying, “This puts yacht racing back on the map!”.
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