H-361 YACHT AMERICA

The schooner America, arguably the most famous racing yacht in history, was designed and built to accomplish a single task: to demonstrate to the Old World that New World technology had matured enough not only to be competitive, but also to be superior. In 1851, designer George Steers created plans for a fast "pilot" boat, utilizing a reversal of the established "cods-head-and-mackerel-tail" style of boat design. The resulting sharp-bowed America sailed for England to answer a challenge from the Royal Yacht Squadron. After waiting around for weeks for responses to her challenges, an open race sponsored by the Royal Yacht Squadron for the Hundred Guinea Cup finally provided America with a forum for victory. Inaugurated by Queen Victoria, the race was staged around the Isle of Wight where America defeated the British Squadron fleet, finishing eight miles ahead of the fleet. Rumor has it that when Queen Victoria inquired as to which entry placed second, the official’s response was “Your majesty, there is no second." And so, the history of the Americas Cup began that day, August 22, 1851.

The winning American crew donated the prize to the New York Yacht Club by means of what might be considered the foundational act of the Americas Cup, the "Deed of Gift". The 100 Guinea Cup was then renamed the Americas Cup and was successfully defended by the United States of America for an unprecedented 25 times over 132 years, setting the longest winning streak in sporting history.

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