The one thing in Port America´s Cup older than the regatta itself is the trophy it is named after. The America´s Cup, which resides on the first floor of the Veles e Vents building, is the same one (although it has had different names and seen a few modifications) that was bought by Sir Henry Paget of the Royal Yacht Squadron at Britain´s Garrard & Co. in 1851.
Through the years it has been called the ‘One Hundred Guinea Cup’, ‘£100 Cup’, the ‘Hundred Sovereign Cup’, and today is still known affectionately as the ‘Auld Mug’.
Whatever the appellation, the silver (92.5% sterling silver) America´s Cup is awe inspiring and visitors to the Veles e Vents line up to catch a glance and snap a photo.
“It’s like taking a photo with a famous person, like a Hollywood star,”said one visitor.
“It’s special to see something in person that I’ve seen in the magazines and on TV.”
And this star has had a couple of makeovers. Bases were added to the Cup in 1958 and again in 2003 to accommodate the names of the competing yachts in each edition which are inscribed on its sides. Despite all its splendour, the Cup is still missing the one thing that would give it any practical purpose, its bottom. But that doesn’t take away from its magnificence.
“It’s so beautiful, so impressive, I would like to touch it, but I’m a bit afraid of those two bodyguards,” said Ivan, a Frenchmen viewing the Cup. And afraid he should be; only a select few can lay their hands upon the legendary ewer. It’s strictly ‘look, don’t touch’, but in this case, perhaps a look is enough.
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