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My painting ‘THE LITTLE RED SKIFF” portrays the New Zealand
challenger NZL 20 in a close racing situation with the Italian challenger
IL MORO DI VENENCIA, during the Louis Vuitton Cup regatta final in
1992.
New Zealand came tantalisingly close to becoming the challenger in
the first America’s Cup contest under the new class rule. After
five races, the New Zealand yacht was 4-1 up and required only one
more victory to become the ’92 challenger.
The bowsprit on the Bruce Farr designed New Zealand yacht had been
controversial since the boats unveiling at San Diego and realising
that the Kiwi’s needed but one more win to take the challenger
regatta the Italians hoisted the protest flag and dragged another regatta
into the protest room!
History tells us that the Italians won the protest and proceeded to
sail their boat to victory and challenge for the America’s Cup.
They were beaten 4-1 by Bill Koch’s defender AMERICA III. |
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© 2007 Jim Bolland – All rights reserved
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