By Russ Kramer

Oil on linen, 44” x 27”

Mike Vanderbilt's state-of-the-art Enterprise beats into heavy seas during the third race of the America's Cup challenge, 17 September, 1930. On the opposite tack is Sir Thomas Lipton's Shamrock V, already down two races in the best of seven series. Unable to take the pounding, in a moment Shamrock will lose her halyard and mainsail, handing an easy victory to Enterprise.

Russ Kramer writes: “I was fascinated watching old footage of J-Boats, and surprised to see how much these 120-footers seemed to pitch in even moderate seas. After reading about the 1930 challenge, and the blow that defined the third race, I imagined ENTERPRISE beating uncomfortably into the head sea, her stern in the air and her crew hanging on for dear life."

This painting is in private collection.