|
|
|
|
 |
The America's Cup Yacht Race was first held in 1851. It was a 85 km race around the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England. It is now held in different locations around the world. If it was held in England first, why then is it called the America's Cup? The prize for the race, today the oldest trophy in sports, did not have a special name, but the winner was a yacht from the United States called the America. So the cup ended up being called after the first boat that won it, the "America's" Cup. In 1851 one American boat entered by the New York Yacht Club challenged 16 English ships. The designer of that boat was so confident of his design that he refused payment if the "America" did not win! At the end of the race Queen Victoria asked, "Who is first?" "America has won," she was told. "Who was second?" asked the Queen. The reply is famous - "Your Majesty, there is no second." For the next 132 years the cup continued to be held by the New York Yacht Club against all challenges. It was not until 1983 that another country won the cup, and the right to hold the competition outside the United States. This still remains the longest record that a cup has been held by one club in sporting history. More about New Zealand winning the cup for the first time, and about when the cup was badly damaged. |
|
Year |
Winning Boat |
Country |
Challenger |
Country |
|
1851 |
America |
USA |
15 British yachts |
England |
|
1870 |
Magic |
USA |
Cambria |
England |
|
1871 |
Columbia/Sappho |
USA |
Livonia |
England |
|
1876 |
Madeleine |
USA |
Countess of Dufferin |
Canada |
|
1881 |
Mischief |
USA |
Atlanta |
Canada |
|
1885 |
Puritan |
USA |
Genesta |
England |
|
1886 |
Mayflower |
USA |
Galatea |
England |
|
1887 |
Volunteer |
USA |
Thistle |
England |
|
1893 |
Vigilant |
USA |
Valkyrie |
England |
|
1895 |
Defender |
USA |
Valkyrie II |
England |
|
1899 |
Columbia |
USA |
Shamrock |
England |
|
1901 |
Columbia |
USA |
Shamrock II |
England |
|
1903 |
Reliance |
USA |
Shamrock III |
England |
|
1920 |
Resolute |
USA |
Shamrock IV |
England |
|
1930 |
Enteprise |
USA |
Shamrock V |
England |
|
1934 |
Rainbow |
USA |
Endeavour |
England |
|
1937 |
Ranger |
USA |
Endeavour II |
England |
|
1958 |
Columbia |
USA |
Sceptre |
England |
|
1962 |
Weatherly |
USA |
Gretel |
Australia |
|
1964 |
Constellation |
USA |
Sovereign |
England |
|
1967 |
Intrepid |
USA |
Dame Pattie |
Australia |
|
1970 |
Intrepid |
USA |
Gretel II |
Australia |
|
1974 |
Courageous |
USA |
Southern Cross |
Australia |
|
1977 |
Courageous |
USA |
Australia |
Australia |
|
1980 |
Freedom |
USA |
Australia |
Australia |
|
1983 |
Australia II |
Australia |
Liberty |
USA |
|
1987 |
Stars & Stripes |
USA |
Kookaburra III |
Australia |
|
1988 |
Stars & Stripes |
USA |
New Zealand |
New Zealand |
|
1992 |
America3 |
USA |
Moro di Venizia |
Italy |
|
1995 |
Black Magic |
New Zealand |
Young America |
USA |
|
2000 |
New Zealand |
New Zealand |
Luna Rossa |
Italy |