When is America's Cup?

What is America's Cup?

America's Cup, commonly referred to as Auld Mug, is the trophy that is awarded to the winning team of the America's Cup sailing compeition between two sailboats. One of the yatch clubs, called the defender, is the team that won the previous event. The second team, known as the challenger, is the yatch club that is challenging for the trophy. 

First awarded in 1851, the America's Cup trophy is the oldest trophy in international sports. It was named "America's Cup" because the first competition was won by a schooner styled sailboat called America. Over the year, the event has gained attention from not only the world's most skilled and experienced sailors but also very rich entrepreneurs and businesses who sponsor the boats and races. The winning yatch clubs often win as a result of having superior boat and sail design, which in itself is often a result of successful fund-raising ventures. 

Any yatch club that meets the strict requirements of the Deed of Gift, the primary source of rules to make a legal and valid challenge for the trophy as well as the rules of the races, is eligible to challenge the defnding yatch club for the trophy. The original deed was created in 1852 and was later delivered to the New York Yatch Lub in 1857, whom won the America's Cup competition. 

Occassionally, multiple yatch clubs are eligible to challenge for the trophy. In that case, the two or more challenging boats compete in the Louis Vuitton Cup for the opportunity to compete against the America's Cup defender. 

The most successful yatch club with the most titles is the New York Yatch Club, who has won the compeititon 25 times.