The America's Cup is not just a competition; it is also a physical trophy with a rich history, a silver ewer that has become one of the most coveted prizes in international sport. Originally known by various names such as the "100 Guineas Cup," the "Hundred Guinea Cup," or the "Cup of One Hundred Sovereigns," its value was set at 100 pounds-sterling. This iconic trophy, which stands 27 inches (69 cm) tall and is made of 134 ounces (3.8 kg) of silver,
has a story that predates the famous 1851 race and continues through its role as a perpetual challenge.
Origins and Initial Purpose
The ewer itself was not custom-made for the 1851 regatta. It was a stock item, acquired in 1848 by the original Marquess of Anglesey from the renowned jewelers and silversmiths R & S Garrard. The Marquess's intention in donating this impressive piece to the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) was quite specific: he hoped it would be used for a special event that could help revive the club. At the time, the RYS was experiencing a significant drop in attendance, both afloat and ashore, a consequence of a brief period of mismanagement under a Commodore who had taken on the role after Anglesey, then 78 years old, had declined it.
Thus, the trophy's initial purpose was to serve as an incentive, a focal point for a prestigious event that would draw members back and inject new life into the Royal Yacht Squadron. This context highlights that the trophy was conceived not just as a prize, but as a tool for organizational revitalization, a testament to its inherent value and appeal even before it gained international fame.
The 1851 Race and Renaming
The opportunity for the trophy to fulfill its purpose arrived with the 1851 regatta, a fleet race open to all, established to coincide with the Great Exhibition. It was in this race that the yacht *America*, representing the New York Yacht Club, achieved a decisive victory against 15 yachts of the Royal Yacht Squadron. This triumph was so significant that it led to the trophy being renamed the "America's Cup," forever linking it to the winning vessel and its country of origin.
Following the race, the trophy was engraved with the names of the yachts that had competed against *America*, with the notable exception of the runner-up, *Aurora*. Interestingly, the winning owners of the *America* considered a rather drastic measure: melting the Cup down to create individual medals for each of them. Fortunately, they decided against this plan. However, they did engrave the trophy with "100 Guinea Cup," which, while close, was a slight misrepresentation of its actual value, as 100 guineas would have equated to £105, not the £100 sterling value of the cup.
A Perpetual Challenge
The true transformation of the trophy from a one-off prize to an enduring symbol occurred in 1857. The surviving members of the *America* syndicate formally donated the cup to the New York Yacht Club. This donation was accompanied by the Deed of Gift of the America's Cup, a legal document filed with the New York Supreme Court. This deed stipulated that the cup "is donated upon the condition that it shall be preserved as a perpetual challenge Cup for friendly competition between foreign countries."
This act ensured that the America's Cup would not be owned outright by any winner but would instead be continually contested. The deed also outlined the rules for making a valid challenge and the conduct of the races, making it clear that the cup's ownership would reside with the club that most recently won a match, subject to the deed's provisions, rather than with the individual owners of the winning vessel. This established the trophy's status as a unique and enduring symbol of international yachting competition.
