The America's Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy, dating back to 1851 when the New York Yacht Club's schooner "America" won a race around the Isle of Wight. The trophy, originally called the "R.Y.S. £100 Cup," was later renamed after the winning yacht. The America's Cup is awarded to the winner of a match race between two sailing yachts: one representing the yacht club that currently holds the trophy (the defender) and another representing the challenging yacht club.
The America's Cup is not manufactured by a single entity but is rather the prize awarded to the victor of the race. The "Auld Mug" itself is an ornate sterling silver ewer crafted in 1848. Competing for the Cup involves considerable expense, with modern teams spending upwards of $100 million on their campaigns. The yachts used in the competition represent the cutting edge of sailing technology and design, with the current class being the AC75, a 75-foot foiling monohull. These boats are capable of reaching speeds exceeding 50 knots. The 37th America's Cup took place in Barcelona in 2024, with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron defeating the Royal Yacht Squadron. The 38th America's Cup is scheduled for 2027 in Naples, Italy.
