The yacht that won the 1851 race around the Isle of Wight leading to establishment of the Americas Cup.

In 1851 Commodore John Cox Stevens, a charter member of the fledgling New York Yacht Club, formed a six-person syndicate to build this yacht with intention of taking it to England and making some money competing in yachting regattas and match races. The syndicate contracted with pilot-boat designer George Steers for a 101 ft (30.78 m) schooner, which was christened America and launched on 3 May 1851.

On 22 August 1851, America raced against 15 yachts of the Royal Yacht Squadron in the Club's annual 53-nautical-mile (98 km) regatta around the Isle of Wight. America won, killing the competition and finishing 8 minutes ahead of the closest rival. Apocryphally, Queen Victoria, who was watching at the finish line, asked who was second, the famous answer being: "Ah, Your Majesty, there is no second."