The America’s Cup

The America’s Cup is the oldest international trophy in world sport, pre-dating the modern Olympics, the Ryder Cup and the World Cup – and Britain has never won it. The first race was organised by the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1851, the same year that both Reuters and the New York Times were founded. It was a single race around the Isle of Wight, open to yachts of all nations. The prize was a silver Cup that was valued at One Hundred Pounds sterling. The black schooner America won this nascent contest of maritime supremacy, outclassing the rest of the field to be first at the finish line off Cowes. To honour that victory, it was renamed the America’s Cup and became a challenge trophy, open to sailing clubs of all nations.

American teams representing the New York Yacht Club successfully defended the Cup against all challenges for 132 years – the longest winning streak in sport – until an Australian team won in 1983. Since then the Cup has become a truly global phenomena, with challenges from all five continents, and held in locations spread around the world – Cowes, New York, Newport RI, Fremantle, San Diego, Auckland, Valencia and San Francisco.

Emirates New Zealand are the defenders and current holders of the America's Cup, they won the 36th America's Cup in New Zealand 2021, representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. The defenders are taking the Cup to Barcelona in September 2023, where the 37th America's Cup will be held.

The British Team made history in the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona, as the first British team in 60 years to qualify for the America’s Cup Match, the first in 90 years to score points in the Match, and the first ever to win the America’s Cup Challenger Series after their victory against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final. These achievements mark Britain’s most successful performance in the competition’s history.

Emirates Team New Zealand secured their fifth America's Cup triumph on 19th October 2024, defeating The British Team with a 7-2 victory in the 37th America's Cup Match. The historic moment also saw the official confirmation of the next cycle: Bertie Bicket, Chairman of Royal Yacht Squadron Racing, presented the Challenge letter, which was accepted by Gillian Williams, Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. This signing established Athena Racing as the Challenger of Record for the 38th America's Cup.

Photo: © ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget