The painting depicts Rainbow leading Endeavour in the crucial race five of the 1934 America’s Cup. During the initial races of the series the Defender Rainbow had quickly found herself two races down and was well behind in the third race when through clever tactics and mistakes on Endeavour’s part she miraculously took the third race.
After the tensions of the first 3 races a lay day was requested by the challenger. During the first three races Rainbow had been badly beaten down wind by the flying Endeavour, to remedy the situation Harold Vanderbilt Rainbows skipper and syndicate head called on the assistance of Frank Paine the designer of the defeated defence Candidate Yankee. During the races held throughout that summer to select the defender Yankee and her crew had proved very proficient in the use of her parachute spinnaker. Frank Paine quickly joined Rainbows afterguard for race 4 and brought with him Yankees Parachute spinnaker. Next day Rainbow evened the series with a controversial win in race four which however involved no downwind legs.
Race 5 was to begin with the infamous downwind leg. Unlike in the proceeding races however, with Frank Paine trimming her parachute Rainbow quickly took the lead and lead Endeavour around the leeward mark by 4 min 38sec. a lead she held to the finish taking the series to 3.2.
Rainbow went on to win the 6 and deciding race in another close battle retaining the America’s Cup of 1934.
Specifications
Rainbow. Endeavour
LOA 126.7 ft. 129.7ft
LWL 82 ft. 83.3ft
Beam 21ft 22.03ft
Sail area 7572sqft. 7561sqft