It just wasn’t Velsheda’s week.
The inaugural J Class Regatta in Newport, Rhode Island, the first of a series of J Class events, went to Ranger in stunning fashion. She won four of five of the races, laying claim to the Corum Cup (left), the prize for the series.
Even if a third yacht had participated (Shamrock V was originally scheduled but bowed out, as did her replacement, Hanuman), Velsheda’s crew probably wouldn’t have taken comfort in coming in second. After all, in these types of races, there’s nothing but first place.
That’s not to say that Velsheda’s crew didn’t put up a good fight. She lost the first race by a mere second, for example, once handicaps were considered. And a few times during the races, despite Ranger pulling out to a good lead, Velsheda closed the distance, even overlapping Ranger. Earle Williams, the navigator for Ranger, paid tribute to Velsheda’s crew by saying they gave him and his fellow crewmembers “a good old tussle.”
Mother Nature gave them all a good tussle, too. For races two through four, heavy air made for spectacular sights of full spinnakers and mainsails. The same southerly winds, 15 knots or better, drove each yacht at or close to 16 knots, to the delight of spectators on chase boats and on land. Even though the final race saw winds so light the yachts barely moved, they still drew crowds.
Here’s a look at some of the action from the races.
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