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The Coupe d ' Aviation Maritime Jacques Schneider ( commonly called the Schneider Trophy, or prize or cup ) was a prize competition for seaplanes.

Announced by Jacques Schneider, a financier, balloonist and aircraft enthusiast, in 1911, it offered a prize of roughly £ 1, 000.

The race was held eleven times between 1913 and 1931.

It was meant to encourage technical advances in civil aviation but became a contest for pure speed with laps over a triangular course ( initially 280 km, later 350 km ).

The races were very popular and some attracted crowds of over 200, 000 spectators.

Since 1977 the trophy has been on display at the Science Museum in London.