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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