City - State - NEW ENGLAND Country - United States
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Newport, RI 7/23/2005 12:30 PM Shooting Mode Manual Shutter Speed 1/800th Aperture Value f/6.3 Metering Mode Center-weighted averaging ISO Speed 400 Focal Length 28.0 mm
US-17 Weatherly 1962 12-Meter America's Cup Defender. Again, thanks to Jeff from Birdseye for this chance.
One of only three surviving wooden America's Cup Defenders in the world, Weatherly is a true legend in American sailing history. Built by Luders Marine Shipyard to the highest construction standards, of African mahogany, white oak and bronze, her longevity is a testament to the boatbuilder's art. She got off to a late start in the 1958 America's Cup trials sailed off Newport,RI, under the command of the legendary Arthur Knapp, and was eventually eliminated in the highly competitive defender series that year. In 1962 she was modified by A.E. "Bill" Luders and skippered by the master 12 Meter helmsman, Emil "Bus" Mosbacher. Mosbacher and crew fought hard all summer to defeat rival Nefertiti in the defender's trials, before going on to sail against Gretel, the first Australian challenger for the America's Cup.
The '62 America's Cup defense was at the time the most closely battled series in history. Weatherly, probably no faster than the speedy challenger from down under, ultimately prevailed, keeping the America's Cup in Newport, RI. The races were followed closely by President and Mrs. Kennedy, who brought the high style of that brief administration to Newport.
Weatherly continued to compete in America's Cup competition through 1970, when she was converted for offshore racing on the Great Lakes, the SORC, and Puget Sound. She was purchased in Seattle in 1986 by America's Cup Charters' Co-owner George Hill, who then sailed her to Newport via the Panama Canal. Weatherly has been meticulously restored by Hill in what can only be described as a labor of love, each year seeing hull, rigging and hardware improvements that will extend her life for years to come.
Oh wow! I'm really impressed with this .. you are a pro! Wonderful view, great composition with the diagonal of the hull, great color, and old Stars and Stripes makes the perfect accent ... I like it MUCHO! .. Gab
Yes Vini...except for the grinders of course LOL These boats are now retired from the rigors of competitive racing, and spend the summers in Newport's Narragansett Bay, and the winters chartered in the Carribean...yes, it's a good life.
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{K:13784} 7/27/2005
