In 1848, Queen Victoria authorized the creation of the "One Hundred Guinea Cup" to be made of solid silver, standing 27" tall and weighing 132oz for a yacht race "open to all nations."

In 1851, a syndicate of wealthy New Yorkers commissioned a sleek new yacht, named "America", and crossed the Atlantic to take on the best of the 16 yacht strong British fleet. W.H. Brown, the designer of the New York Yacht Club entry was so confident of his design that he refused payment if "America" did not win.
When the starting gun was fired at ten in the morning on August 22, 1851, the America was the last over the starting line. However, in the end the speedy America stunned the British fleet and crossed the finish line 19 minutes ahead of all 16 of her British competitors.

The often quoted remark by the Queen was sparked by America's great victory. She asked, "Who is first?" "America" has won, she was told. "Who was second", asked the Queen? The reply still echoes - "Your Majesty, there is no second."
The America brought the 100 Guineas Cup across the Atlantic, and the New York Yacht Club renamed it "The America's Cup" after the winning boat.
In 31 defenses since then, the interplay of national pride, giant egos, designs, and now modern technology, have kept The Cup very much alive. The 132 years of successful defenses by the New York Yacht Club remains the longest record in sports history. Sir Thomas Lipton tried for 31 years to win The Cup, commencing in 1899, but never succeeded.

From schooners, to J-Class boats, to 12 meters to the current IACC designs, Men's brains, wits, skills and money have been locked in sea-swept combat.