5120 x 3413 px | 43,3 x 28,9 cm | 17,1 x 11,4 inches | 300dpi
Aufnahmedatum:
19. Juli 2012
Ort:
Western Solent, Hampshire, UK
Weitere Informationen:
J-Class yachts "Ranger" (J5) and "Velsheda" (K7) power towards the windward mark on the second beat of Race 2 of the J Class Solent Regatta, July 2012. The rebirth of the J Class started in the 1980s, when the 3 surviving yachts (all British) started to be renovated. "Velsheda" is one of those. Designed by Charles Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholson in 1933 for Mr W.L. Stephenson, owner of the Woolworth chain of shops, she was built in 1933 at Gosport. She was Nicholson's second design for a J Class. "Velsheda" was named after Stephenson's three daughters, Velma, Sheila and Daphne. She raced with the Big Class between 1933 and 1936. By 1937 she was laid up in a mud berth on the Hamble and became derelict. This unique yacht was rescued in 1984 by Terry Brabant, who economically refitted her for charter work with a new steel mast and limited interior. Still without an engine she sailed regularly along the UK South Coast on Charter Work and occasionally ventured to the Mediterranean and Caribbean. "Velsheda" was purchased in 1996 and a two year comprehensive rebuild was completed to bring her back into immaculate racing condition. She was fitted with the tallest one piece carbon mast in the world and a comprehensive suit of racing sails were produced, developed from wind tunnel testing at Southampton University. She was re-launched in November 1997. The original "Ranger" successfully defended the 1937 America's Cup, defeating the British challenger "Endeavour II" 4-0 at Newport, Rhode Island. It was the last time J-class yachts would race for the America's Cup. She was scrapped in 1941. Construction of a replica of Ranger was started at Danish Yacht Boatyard (by Royal Denship) in early 2002 and was completed in late December 2003. The original designs were used as the basis for the new boat but were updated to conform to the latest safety regulations and the requirement of the owner to cross oceans in comfort.
