( CNN ) -- On a misty afternoon in 1851 , Britain 's Queen Victoria watched a wooden schooner -- named `` America '' -- win what would later become one of the most famous boat races in the world . She asked one of her attendants who had come second . The answer ? `` Your majesty , there is no second . '' His words set the tone for what we now know as the America 's Cup -- a prestigious , fierce , and controversial race which has just one winner and no runners-up . Since its launch 162 years ago , the competition -- which kicked off in San Francisco last month -- has been at the forefront of yacht design , encouraging the best sailing clubs in the world to invest big in their seafaring weapons of choice . From Scotland 's elegant Fife yachts , to Australia 's controversial keel , and today 's space-age 'flying ' boats , CNN takes a look at the most revolutionary designs and memorable moments of the world 's oldest trophy in international sport .
For more than 160 years , the America 's cup has been at the forefront of yacht design . From Scotland 's traditional boats to modern 'winged ' yachts , CNN looks at highlights . Includes Australia 's controversial keel , which saw U.S. lose Cup for first time . British sailor Andrew Simpson 's death while training in May has raised safety questions .