Americas Cup Comes to Plymouth

The Americas Cup, what is it?

Strictly speaking, the Americas Cup is a sailing trophy.  It is the oldest active trophy in international sport, and is awarded to the winner of a match race between only two yachts.  It now also refers to the race itself.

The Cup has a very long and distinguished history starting in 1851.  It was originally called the RYS £100 Cup and was first awarded to the schooner America by the Royal Yacht Squadron after winning a 53 mile race around the Isle of Wight.  It then become known as the America’s Cup after the schooner.  In 1857 the trophy was given to the New York Yacht Club by the America’s Syndicate in a Deed of Gift, specifying that it be held in trust as a perpetual challenge trophy to promote friendly competition among nations.  For more information about the history visit the Americas Cup website.

The competition is held every 3 to 4 years and today the cup is held by the Golden Gate Yacht Club (Defender).  A series of races and regattas are held over several years around the world to determine the Challenger.  The winner of the cup then has the honours of deciding the parameters for the next race.

The 34th Americas Cup finals

This will be held in 2013 in San Francisco, the home of the Golden Gate Yacht Club, but Plymouth in the UK is the scene for the America’s Cup Series Qualifiers.  Starting on 10th September and running until the 18th September, visitors will be able to watch the week long regatta in the fabulous natural amphitheatre of Plymouth Sound and share in the experience of the international teams as they prepare the state of the art AC45 catamarans at the Race Village in Millbay.

Image couretsy of Beachcomber1954