10 curiosities about the America's Cup

Learn reading this post about the origins of this famous international nautical competition and some things that, perhaps, you didn't know.

1.

THE OLD NAME

We have to go back to 1851, when, on the occasion of the Great Exhibition in London that year, a regatta was scheduled to be held on August 22, the Queen's Cup.

2.

REGARDING THE OLYMPIC GAMES...

The first modern Olympic Games began to be held in 1896 in Athens, so, really, the America's Cup is a previous major sporting event.

3.

A PIECE OF JEWELRY AS A TROPHY

The winner of that competition would receive a silver ewer, a type of jug with a spout and a handle. That piece was designed by the official jeweler of the Royal Family, Robert Garrard, and was valued at 100 gold guineas. The gold guinea was the currency used at that time in Great Britain. The Marquis of Anglesey donated it to the Royal Yacht Squadron, the club that had organized the regatta and which provided it as a prize to the winner. For this reason, the current trophy is also known as the "Hundred Guinea Cup"

4.

THE FIRST TOUR

Going around the Isle of Wight, south of England, was the first challenge that faced competitors from 2 sides: America and England.

5.

THE FAMOUS GULET THAT COMPETED

Members of the New York Yacht Club of the United States of America, aboard the gulet America, faced and defeated fourteen ships of the Royal London Yacht Squadron. Finally, the American Club won, which promoted competition between nations by organizing the following regattas and the trophy was renamed America's Cup ("America's Cup").

6.

13 YEARS WITHOUT CELEBRATING

After World War II, which ended in 1945, it was not celebrated again until 1958 when there was a new edition. And, in it, the smallest type of boat that had been used so far (12 m) was used.

7.

WHO KEEPS THE TROPHY

The winning team keeps the trophy until another team challenges it and is forced to defend the Cup in a new regatta.

8.

USA, THE GREAT OWNER OF THE CUP

America guarded the cup for 133 years as the winning country, exactly, until in 1983 Australia beat the American boat.

9.

NOW, SHIPS "FLY"

The AC75 are very technologically advanced boats and have hydrofoils (foils) that allow them to pass through the water barely skimming it. They can reach a speed of more than 50 knots (almost 100 km/h). They are the formula 1 of the sea!

10.

BASIC REGULATIONS FROM MORE THAN 1 CENTURY AGO

In 1887, the first set of rules governing this competition were drawn up. They were all collected in a document called Deed of Gift. Its content has been amended and adapted to current events, but is still valid.