Sailing race around the Isle of Wight won by America

Yacht race won by America | 1851 | Period: Victorian

A sailing race organised by The Royal Yacht Club around the Isle of Wight in 1851 was won by America on a schooner called America. The trophy, originally named the '£100 Cup', was renamed the America's Cup after the winning yacht and was donated to the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) under the terms of the Deed of Gift, which made the cup available for perpetual international competition.

This America's Cup has never been won by the British.

Today, the America's Cup, affectionately known as the "Auld Mug", is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two sailing yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging for the cup. The timing of each match is determined by an agreement between the defender and the challenger.