The Americas Cup

The Americas Cup is informally known as the “Auld Mug” and is the oldest formally recognised international sporting competition.

Races are between 2 sailing boats, one challenger and one defender (the current cup holders).

It’s not a yearly event nor does it have any fixed schedule, instead dates are agreed between the 2 parties.

Any yacht club can make a challenge if they meet the requirements in the “deed of gift” and can safely challenge the defenders.

History of Americas Cup

The history of the cup dates back to 1851 when a business syndicate out of New York bought a boat and sailed the schooner “America” across the Atlantic for the World Fair in England winning a race around the Isle of Wight against a fleet of British yachts.

They claimed the prize of the £100 cup which wouldn’t get you many boating products or gear these days nor go far towards maintenance of your sailing ship.

From there on the United States embarked on the longest winning streak in history defending the trophy 24 times through a period from 1870 to 1983 until Australia successfully challenged and won in 1983.

Americas Cup Defenders And Challenges

DEFENDERS & CHALLENGERS

Year	Defender	Country	Challenger	Country	Won By
1851	15 yachts	England	America	USA	America
1870	Magic	USA	Cambria	England	Magic
1871	Columbia / Sappho	USA	Livonia	England	Columbia / Sappho
1876	Madeleine	USA	Countess of Dufferin	Canada	Madeleine
1881	Mischief	USA	Atalanta	Canada	Mischief
1885	Puritan	USA	Genesta	England	Puritan
1886	Mayflower	USA	Galatea	England	Mayflower
1887	Volunteer	USA	Thistle	England	Volunteer
1893	Vigilant	USA	Valkyrie II	England	Vigilant
1895	Defender	USA	Valkyrie III	England	Defender
1899	Columbia	USA	Shamrock	England	Columbia
1901	Columbia	USA	Shamrock II	England	Columbia
1903	Reliance	USA	Shamrock III	England	Reliance
1920	Resolute	USA	Shamrock IV	England	Resolute
1930	Enterprise	USA	Shamrock V	England	Enterprise
1934	Rainbow	USA	Endeavour	England	Rainbow
1937	Ranger	USA	Endeavour II	England	Ranger
1958	Columbia	USA	Sceptre	England	Columbia
1962	Weatherly	USA	Gretel	Australia	Weatherly
1964	Constellation	USA	Sovereign	England	Constellation
1967	Intrepid	USA	Dame Pattie	Australia	Intrepid
1970	Intrepid	USA	Gretel II	Australia	Intrepid
1974	Courageous	USA	Southern Cross	Australia	Courageous
1977	Courageous	USA	Australia	Australia	Courageous
1980	Freedom	USA	Australia	Australia	Freedom
1983	Liberty	USA	Australia II	Australia	Australia II
1987	Kookaburra III	Australia	Stars & Stripes ’87	USA	Stars & Stripes ’87
1988	Stars & Stripes ’89	USA	New Zealand Challenge	New Zealand	Stars & Stripes
1992	America3	USA	Il Moro di Venezia	Italy	America3
1995	Young America	USA	Team New Zealand	New Zealand	Team New Zealand
2000	Team New Zealand	New Zealand	Luna Rossa	Italy	Team New Zealand
2003	Team New Zealand	New Zealand	Alinghi	Switzerland	Alinghi
2007	Alinghi	Switzerland	Emirates Team New Zealand	New Zealand	Alinghi
2010	Alinghi	Switzerland	BMW Oracle Racing	USA	BMW Oracle Racing
2013	Oracle Team USA	USA	Emirates Team New Zealand	New Zealand	Oracle Team USA
2017	Oracle Team USA	USA	Emirates Team New Zealand	New Zealand	Emirates Team New Zealand