J-class racing, a photo from Isle of Wight, England

Photographer's Note

The J-Class yachts "Velsheda" and, nearer the camera, "Ranger", racing in the West Solent a couple of years ago.

The J-class was used for the America's Cup races from 1930 to 1937. Only 10 were built then, 4 in the UK and 6 in the US. "Velsheda" was the only one not built expressly to race for the Cup. She was designed by Charles Nicholson, and built at his yard in my home town of Gosport. W.F. Stephenson was her owner, and he named her after his three daughters, Velma, Sheila and Daphne. She was quite successful racing in the Big Class in home waters, but was laid up during the War, and was thereafter left to rot in a mud berth, until she was rescued in the early '80s and refitted for sailing. In 1997, after being bought by a new owner who gave her a complete rebuild, she was again a state of the art racer.

The original "Ranger", often known as the "Super J", successfully defended the America's Cup for the US in 1937 against the British challenger "Endeavour II". Sadly, like all the other American Js, she was broken up in 1941.

But the class was reborn in the new century on the back of three surviving British Js, "Velsheda", "Endeavour I" and "Shamrock V", all of whom were rebuilt and refitted for racing. Today, several "new" Js are out there racing as well. All are built to existing 1930s plans, as the J Class Association decided that a modern design to the J Class rule would out-class existing boats, and in any case, the classic look of the boats was an important element of their appeal. So "Ranger" is a replica of the 1937 Cup defender and built in 2003. Of course, modern materials are allowed, as you can see from the carbon spars and the kevlar/carbon sails.

By the way, "Velsheda" won the race against "Ranger", "Lionheart" (launched 2010, another 1934 design by the American Starling Burgess) and "Rainbow", a replica of the successful Cup defender of 1934.

This one's for Lisa, as she said she was looking forward to my sailing photographs...

CLODO, kasianowak, ktanska, SnapRJW, delpeoples, macjake has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

arnie (1817) 2014-07-25 4:15

Hi Will,
A great dramatic action shot, lovely detail in the movement of the water as the yachts push through the waves.
Regards Arnie.

CLODO (45116) 2014-07-25 5:34

hi Will

It reminds me a photographer which book my parents offer me as a Xmas gift years ago: Keith BEKEN.
What a power in the crashing front wave and in the sails, you should be very carefull when sitting on the slippery deck, no safe railing to prevent you from diving in the sea.
Cheers
CLODO

Silvio1953 (221659) 2014-07-25 6:23

Ciao Will, great action shoot with fantastic sea, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

rbassin (27472) 2014-07-25 8:28

Hello Will
Une tr鑚 belle photo o� on ressent bien l'action,et la comp騁ition.
Les d騁ails, la lumi鑽e et les couleurs sont superbes.
Bonne soir馥
Roland

berek (50518) 2014-07-25 9:01

Hi Will,
on time oicture.i feel energy from your composition . well done
Have a nice weekend.
Burak Erek

lousat (139298) 2014-07-25 9:51

Hi Will,the 3D effect of this pic is fantastic,and the quality too,not easy to have detail so perfect in this difficult situation of fast mouvements,very original,different and well done,i like it! Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano.

No_One (4) 2014-07-25 11:50

Hi Will
A beautiful action shot, taken with such superb detail to show all the people on deck. Love ths, a kind of photo o would love to take someday. Thanks for the brilliant note too.
Cheers
Noel

kasianowak (17676) 2014-07-25 22:43

Hi Will
Dramatic shot with lots of action happening in the very foreground, dragging the viewer into the race. As opposed to the classic "sail on the horizon", here, with all the people aboard, one can appreciate how big these boats are.
Best wishes
Kasia

ktanska (44788) 2014-07-26 3:58

Hi Will,
Very impressive action shot of those big sailboats on full action. And you were really close with your camera! certainly not a point of view available for ordinary passer-by.
Kari

dekanski (9365) 2014-07-26 8:29

Will,

great, great, great, and one more great!!!!

Sa啾

SnapRJW (31631) 2014-07-26 23:38

Hi Will - A super shot and a very interesting note to accompany it.

The action is beautifully captured especially as both boats are heeling towards your lens and it is easy to see the crew ... I had no idea it took so many people to sail these boats, the Velsheda has at least 20-25 people on board.

The diagonal lines of the sails and the crashing and splashing of the sea combine to give the shot great dynamism. I love the colour combination too... brown and dirty turquoise a harmonious palette.

Warm regards

Rosemary

delpeoples (60342) 2014-07-28 0:39

Gidday Will

Hehehehe thank you so much for the photo of your sailing adventures. It's such a dynamic and fascinating photo, completely out of the norm. The muted colours are really attractive, as is the sharpness which really gives us a sense of being a bystander up close. I love the tight framing and the diagonal lines which dominate the frame. Top shot, and so interesting to see you show us a sport which you love so much.

Cheers, have a brilliant day
Lisa

chawax (20764) 2014-07-30 12:57

Hi Will,
Such sailboats are masterpieces ! Very good action shot, we can feel in the middle of the regata !
Regards,
Olivier

batalay (41261) 2014-08-02 19:52

Hello Will,

Thanks to Lisa, we get to see your sailing photos. The two yachts appear to echo each other in shapes and patterns, with subtle differences in color. A wider angle lens might have given both boats completely from bow to stern and hull to to masts. But you have been able to eke out every bit of detail you could eke out from a 70-200 lens. Have a good Sunday,

Bulent

macjake (98456) 2014-08-05 5:02

Hi Will
wonderful subject to post.
my first question is....from where did you capture these photos from???

i like the power and action that you captured.
the waves look strong, as does the wind - but i guess that's what they're hoping for.

love seeing the sails and the way the yachts are tilted to the side.
fun photo to view
cheers
craig

GyurMaster (24838) 2014-08-30 13:30

Excellent composition with a very dynamic feeling thanks to the narrow croppng.