08/22/2025
On this day in 1851, the U.S. schooner America won the first race for the 100 Guineas Cup around the Isle of Wight, an event that led to the creation of the America's Cup trophy, the world's oldest continually contested sporting prize.
And we are so glad she did!!
ON THIS DATE in 1851 the schooner yacht America raced against 15 yachts of the Royal Yacht Squadron in the Club's annual 53-nautical-mile regatta around the Isle of Wight. America won, finishing eight minutes ahead of the closest rival. Apocryphally, Queen Victoria, who was watching at the finish line, was reported to have asked who was second, the famous answer being: "Your Majesty, there is no second."
Commodore John Cox Stevens, a charter member of the fledgling New York Yacht Club, had formed a six-person syndicate to build a yacht with intention of taking her to England and competing in yachting regattas and match races. The syndicate contracted with designer George Steers for a 101' schooner, which had been christened America and launched on 3 May 1851.
