The first contest for the America's Cup was sponsored by the Royal Squadron in 1851. Members of the New York Yacht Club competed in the race with the 170-ton schooner America, which sailed against 14 yachts from the Royal Yacht Squadron in a race around the Isle of Wight. America won the prize, a silver cup. In 1857 the cup was presented to the New York Yacht Club, to be held as a world trophy; thereafter it became known as the America's Cup.