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"Weatherly" and "Gretel" surf to the finish. Race 2, America's Cup, 18th September 1962. | The painting depicts one of the most exciting America's Cup races sailed in 12 metre yachts. With spray flying both yachts are creating huge bow and quarter waves as they surf at speeds far exceeding their theoretical 'displacement' speeds.
On the final downwind leg to the finish in race 2, with winds gusting over 25 knots, the Australian challenger "Gretel", skippered by Jock Sturrock, came from behind, caught a large wave and surfed past the American defender "Weatherly", skippered by Bus Mosbacher.
Just after this scene shown in the painting, "Weatherly" attempted to cross "Gretel's stern to take her wind, however her 'afterguy' broke and her spinnaker pole folded around the forestay allowing "Gretel to extend her lead and cross the finish line 47 seconds ahead of "Weatherly".
A spectator fleet of thousands accompanied the yachts throughout the races to see "Weatherly" defeat "Gretel" 4 races to 1 in the 5 race America's Cup series. This was the second America's Cup sailed in '12 metre' yachts and Australia's first challenge for the 'auld mug'. | | Dimensions | 24" x 32" | | Media | Oil on canvas |
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