Endeavour vs Velsheda 1934

oil on panel 12 x 12 inches

sold

When Sir T.O.M Sopwith challenged for the 1934 Americas Cup it was with one condition. Should “Endeavour “the new J class yacht bult for the challenge not prove herself faster than older Velsheda built the year before then Velsheda could be substituted for Endeavour.

Over the summer the two J class yachts had several trial races organised by various south coast yacht clubs. The painting depicts the second special meeting between the two boats. The race a 15mile beat to windward and return from the Needles.  Velsheda had got the better start but after a close contest Endeavour rounded the windward mark first and went on to win the race by 10 minutes.

During the early summer Endeavour conclusively proved her superiority over Velsheda and was named as the official challenger.

During the actual races for the 1934 America’s Cup Endeavour proved herself a faster yacht than the defender Rainbow wining the first two races. Unfortunately for Sopwith’s challenge a last-minute strike by Endeavours crew on the eve of departing for America resulted in an amateur crew replacing the paid crew which extremely handicapped his chances and Rainbow went on to win the next 4 races and retained the Americas Cup.