Quest for Cup Started With Challenge in 1851

America’s Cup is competitive sailing’s premier event, with each participating nation matching technological wits and sailing skills against the defending champion.

The competition dates back to 1851, when a group of British industrialists challenged American sailors to a race around the Isle of Wight. New York businessman John Cox Stevens accepted the challenge and went to England. Stevens sailed his yacht, America, to victory and returned with the prize: a silver Baroque-style ewer that became the Holy Grail of sailing.

Stevens’ victory began the longest winning streak in the history of organized sports. Americans retained the cup through 25 challenges from 1870 to 1983, when American skipper Dennis Conner was defeated by Australian challengers 4-3. In 1987, Conner won it back in a 4-0 sweep in his boat, Stars & Stripes. In 1988, his controversial catamaran trounced New Zealand 2-0.

The San Diego competition is the first America’s Cup challenge ever held on the West Coast. The U.S. defender, America 3, faces a tough run from Il Moro di Venezia (Italy) in the quest for the cup.