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Rainbow defending the America's Cup against Endeavour I, race 1, September 17, 1934. | The painting depicts the Rainbow, in the foreground, racing against the
Endeavour I, in the background, in race 1 of the America's Cup, Monday
September 17, 1934. There was a fresh south westerly breeze of 15 knots,
gusting more than 20knots and this created quite a swell on the race
course, set
offshore from Newport, Rhode Island, USA. The race was a 15 mile slog to
windward, followed by a 15 mile run to the finish.
Both yachts have just rounded the windward mark, Rainbow leading by 18
seconds. Both yachts hoisted their spinnakers in stops, Rainbow has
broken her's out and lowered her jib. She is surfing on the swells,
approaching from her starboard quarter, which cause her to roll to leeward.
Endeavour I can be seen breaking out the stops in her spinnaker and her
crew are preparing to drop her jib. However Rainbow hoisted her small
parachute spinnaker, unlike Endeavour I who hoisted her large parachute
spinnaker and passed Rainbow on the run to the finish.
Harold Vanderbilt was the skipper and also managed Rainbow. He can be
seen at Rainbow's wheel. Alongside him is the navigator, Professor Bliss,
of Brown University and backup skipper John Parkinson( usually sailing
Rainbow downwind). Starling Burgess, Rainbow's designer, is seen in the
dark jacket and yachting cap, further to windward of the group around the
wheel. Sherman Hoyt was also on board, in charge of the spinnaker and
jibs. He can be seen in a dark jacket just to windward of the mast.
The weather is hazy with sunlight reflecting off the water around the racing
yachts. A large spectator fleet is visible in the background with J. P.
Morgan's large steam yacht Corsair IV the closest to the yachts.
Endeavour I won both the first and second races but Rainbow won the
next four thus retaining the America's Cup. Endeavour I was skippered
and managed by T.O.M Sopwith.
Both yachts were built to the J Class measurement. Rainbow was 126.7ft
LOA and Endeavour I was 129.8ft LOA.
Endeavour I was saved from lying in a mud berth in the UK and was rebuilt
by Elizabeth Myers and now sails worldwide( different owners) to take part
in J Class regattas.
The 1934 America's Cup was the first time that biplanes and high wing
mono planes took photos of the racing yachts | | Dimensions | 750mm x 1000mm | | Media | Oil on linen |
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