Wildfire Wins AC1 - America's Cup Controversy

The first America's Cup (AC1) held in 1851 was like so many other in the way it was surrounded by controversy. The yacht America was purpose built to challenge the British fleet sailing across the Atlantic Ocean to France were she was then fitted out with a new rig to allow her to compete effectively in a race around the Isle of Wight. The Royal Yacht Squadron and it's members must still look back and wonder how they let the America's Cup, which at the time was call the 100 Guineas cup slip through there fingers. The member of the British fleet had many chances to stop America winning the first America's cup (AC1). From incorrect and inconsistent sailing instructions to collisions and boats running aground, any of which may have altered the course of history and prevented America from going not to create the longest ever winning streak in international sport. The biggest mistake the Royal Yacht Squadron made was not to accept the entry of the Cutter Wildfire, this they did they would have changed the course of yachting history. Wildfire was a small but swift boat which moveable ballast which was in the form of sand bags which were moved from side to side when the boat tacked or gybed to increase her righting moment. While Wildfire was not the largest yacht to sail around the Isle of Wight she was the fastest with several reputable news agency reporting that she was first to complete the course but her finish time was not recored as she was not officially entered in the race. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, if only the RYS race committee had accepted the entry Great Britain may have been the one creating the majority of the history surrounding the America's cup. The team at Bottom Up Boats hopes that you enjoyed our What IF, look at the controversial points that surround the 1851 America's. If you liked this video and made it this far why not subscribe to ensure that you get notified of all our great content the moment it comes out. Place Yacht Class Tons. Owner Yacht club Time 1st America Schooner. 170. John Cox Stevens. NYYC 10h34' 2nd Aurora. Cutter 47 Thomas Le Marchant Cowes 10h58' 3rd Bacchante Cutter 80 Benjamin Heywood Poole 11h30' 4th Eclipse. Cutter 50 Henry Samuel Fearon RWYC 11h45' 5th Brilliant Schooner 392 George Holland Ackers South'n 13h20' DNF Alarm Cutter 193 Joseph Weld DNF. Arrow Cutter 84 Thomas Chamberlayne Thomas Inman DNF Beatrice. Schooner 161 Walter P. Carew DNF Constance Schooner 218 Marquis of Conyngham East Cowes DNF Freak Cutter 60 William Curling DNF Gipsy Queen Schooner 160 Henry Bold Hoghton DNF Ione Schoone. 75 Almon Hill DNF Mona Cutter 82. Alfred Paget Richard Pinney DNF Volante Cutter 48. J.L. Craigie Ipswich RTYC DNF Wyvern Schooner 205 Duke of Marlborough DNS Fernande Schooner 127 Francis Mountjoy Martyn DNS Strella Cutter 6 5 Richard Frankland DNS Titania Schooner 100 R. Stephenson