The America’s Cup origins have been traced back to August of 1851 when the schooner America owned by the New York Yacht Club entered a race around the Isle of Wright against the Royal Yacht Squadron.  The America won by twenty minutes and the cup was donated in 1857 and used as a challenge trophy to promote friendly competition among foreign nations.  Thus, the America’s Cup was born.

Reeling from the lost of the race, the British attempted to win back the cup.  However, the New York Yacht Club remained undefeated for one hundred and thirty two years, the longest winning streak in any sport.  Matches were held in New York City from 1870 to 1920 until they were moved to Rhode Island in 1930. The America’s Cup sailed from Newport for the rest of the New York Yacht Club’s reign, which came to an end in 1983.  The Australians were the first successful challengers after winning the deciding race in a tied match.  It has been difficult for challengers to take the cup home since the previous year’s winners decide on the rules and hosts the event.

The America’s Cup involves a best of nine series of racing between two yachts.  Since the early 1990s, the regatta has been raced using a monohull boat averaging a length of seventy-five feet. Any club that meets the requirements has the right to challenge the cup holder.  Since 1983, Louis Vuitton has sponsored the Louis Vuitton Cup, which is awarded to the winner of the challenger series.  The winner of this cup races against the defender in order to compete for the America’s Cup.