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- Endeavour I,
1934 -
America's Cup sloop challenger.
The owner of
the big White Eather, W.E. Stephenson, announced his intention
in 1933 to build a new J-Class: Charles E. Nicholson built a
splendid steel yacht for him,Velsheda, and he saw from her first
outings that she was a possible challenger of the America's Cup.
Sir Thomas
Lipton , Shamrock V's owner, decided to enter the fray. He
ordered a new J Class from Nicholson, Endeavour.Nicholson
designed his most fabulous challenger, with a very elegant shape
and real speed capacities.The fifteenth challenge of the
America's Cup was quite a paradox:the faster yacht was beaten by
the slower but better sailed yacht.
In fact, with
Rainbow, the Americans were saved solely due to her tactical
sense and a lot of luck.
Endeavour
layed down for years in the USA, without care.She was rescued by
Elizabeth Meyer, of New-Port, RI. Today after a $ 10,000,000
restoration, she is one of the most breathtaking sights on the
water. To take helm of such a boat is to experience pure power,
grace and speed. |