IIRC
This is correct :
British invited the Americans to send a boat to the race
as is this :
The New York Yacht Club entry was the schooner "America."
and this :
In 1848, Queen Victoria authorized the creation of a "One Hundred Guinea Cup" of solid silver (134oz), 27" tall for a yacht race "open to all nations."
this is not correct :
In 1851 one American boat challenged 16 English ships
this is correct :
British invited the Americans to send a boat to the race, not that the Americans challenged the British to a race.
Check out this
link to the BBC Quoting from the above :
The concept of the America's Cup developed from Lord Wilton inviting America to send a yacht across the Atlantic to race as part of an Industrial World Fair - otherwise known as Prince Albert's Great Exhibition.
The New York Yacht Club, in its formative years itself, sent over a challenger and duly won the event.
Britain's desire to win back the trophy saw the development of the America's Cup and ensured that the 1851 race was not a one off.
This is correct, It will always be so :
She asked, "Who is first?" "America" has won, she was told. "Who was second," asked the Queen? The reply still echoes - "Your Majesty, there is no second."
Link to the
BBC pages on the cup One day we might win it back
