The America's Cup

The America's Cup is the top sailing trophy and one of the best known trophies in the sporting world.It began in 1851 when the English Royal Yacht Squadron organized a 10-km (6 - mile) regatta of 17 boats around the Isle of Wight.The 31 - m American Schooner America entered and won the trophy,then called the One Hundred Guinea Cup.

After America's win,the trophy was re-named the America's Cup and given to New York Yacht Club.There it remained unless won by a challenger.Over the next 132 years the New York Yacht Club successfully defended the trophy against 25 challengers,until in 1983 it was won by Australia.In 2003 the trophy returned to Europe when Russell Coutts in Alinghi won for Switzerland - a landlocked country!The latest Cup was held at Valencia,Spain,in 2007,and was again won by Alinghi for Switzerland.