  |
“ON PACIFIC SWELLS” is a painting, which I hope, conveys
the power and majesty of Michael Fay’s 1988 America’s Cup
Challenger.
The contest itself, conducted by the San Diego Yacht Club, was a farce.
The defenders sailed a catamaran which, although much smaller was indeed
much faster and NEW ZEALAND was well and truly beaten on the water.
But the battle for the America’s Cup then went ashore into the
hands of lawyers and the American Court system! Technically America
kept the ‘Auld Mug’ but the sport of sailing lost credibility.
The outcome however, was a blessing for the future of America’s
Cup competition. From the ashes of ’88 arose the America’s
Cup Class rule and racing format that we can watch in our new millennium. |
|
|
© 2007 Jim Bolland – All rights reserved
|
