25 September 1934

Having learnt from the mistakes of Shamrock V, Charles NICHOLSON provided the challenger with Endeavour in 1934, one of the most stunning J Class boats ever built and one which was to prove faster than the Defender’s boat Rainbow. With Sir Thomas LIPTON’s (GBR) death in 1931, Thomas SOPWITH (GBR) and the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) stepped in to challenge for the 15th edition of the Cup. The last challenge from the RYS in 1895 had ended in the Earl of Dunraven being stripped of his honorary membership of the New York Yacht Club (NYYC). In contrast to the gentlemanly behaviour which distinguished the years of LIPTON challenges, the return of the RYS ended with the return of hostilities.

The Defenders were led by Harold VANDERBILT (USA), heir to the fortune of the Vanderbilt rail dynasty but with a passion for all things sailing. He had successfully defended the Cup with Enterprise in 1930 and was well known for his fantastic ‘Vanderbilt starts’ and ability to recognize talent and get the best out of his crew. As it turns out, these skills were to prove crucial in keeping the Cup at the NYYC.

Light winds plagued the start of the best-of-seven series, with Rainbow leading down the final leg of the first race only for the time limit to sound and the race to be abandoned. Two days later and this time in a more substantial 16 knot breeze, the challenger sent out a clear message of intention, coming from behind to win the opening race by 2 minutes and 9 seconds. A day later and the Defender was down 2-0, with Endeavour scoring another comeback win and breaking the America’s Cup record for the 30 mile triangular course in the process.

Things began to look even worse for the Defender as race 3 unfolded. Endeavour had built a 6½ minute lead by the halfway mark. It was at this point that VANDERBILT played his trump card. Sherman HOYT (USA) had been a member of the afterguard on Enterprise, was already making a reputation for himself as one of the best helmsman of his generation and was well-known for his expertise in light winds.

VANDERBILT handed over the helm to HOYT, who gave a perfect demonstration of his talents. Knowing SOPWITH and his tactics well, he pointed well above the finish line correctly anticipating SOPWITH’s tack to cover him. HOYT then sailed a more direct line to the finish, making the most of the tiny wind shifts to haul in and then sail past Endeavour. Rainbow ended winning the race by over 3 minutes, turning the tide in the match and writing HOYT’s name into Cup legend.

The turnaround in the race completely changed the shape of the series. Suddenly the pressure was back on the challengers and all the momentum with the Rainbow crew. Before heading to the USA, SOPWITH’s crew had gone on strike and appalled by their actions, he had recruited a new crew of amateur sailors to take to New York. Whilst they performed admirably, they were no match for the all-star crew of Rainbow and as the pressure intensified, so the cracks began to appear.

Race 4 brought the most controversial moment of the match and left SOPWITH fuming for the rest of the series. VANDERBILT again won the start, but Endeavour’s superior speed saw her lead to the windward mark. Rainbow tried to pass Endeavour shortly after, SOPWITH responded by luffing his opponent who refused to give way. Endeavour tacked away and Rainbow went on to win, with the Brits flying a protest flag as they approached the lines. However, NYYC rules stated a protest flag must be waived at the time of the incident (in contrast to the British rules), and the Race Committee turned down the appeal. SOPWITH was furious, but the score was 2-2.

A poor spinnaker set gave Rainbow the advantage at the start of race 5, with VANDERBILT able to capitalize on the British mistake and hold off Endeavour’s effort to move within one match of victory.

SOPWITH could not forget the incident in race 4 and before the next race issued a statement expressing his 'great disappointment' at the treatment he had received from the Race Committee. Out on the course, NICHOLSON’s design was again showing her speed and it looked as if SOPWITH might be able to take his revenge by levelling the scores up and sending the series into a decider. However, in the beat to windward, the crack crew on Rainbow were able to outmanoeuvre their rivals and took a lead of close to 3 minutes into the final leg. In one final demonstration of speed, and of what might have been, Endeavour reeled in the gap, but could not quite do enough. Rainbow took the gun, winning by 55 seconds and keeping the Cup in New York thanks, not to a superior boat, but because of great skill of their crew.

Where Are They Now

Harold VANDERBILT (USA) went on to defend the Cup for a third time in 1937, scoring an emphatic 4-0 win in Ranger. Along with his success in the America’s Cup he won six King’s Cups and five Astor Cups. He died in 1970.

Thomas SOPWITH (GBR) was on the receiving end of Ranger’s success in 1937. He died in 1989.

After his crucial role in the 1934 Cup, Sherman HOYT (USA) moved to the commentary box in 1937, although Ranger’s domination provided little to talk about when compared to the previous edition. He died in 1961.

ISAF In 1934

There were four sailing events at the 1934 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA, with gold medals going to the hosts in two events along with France and Sweden. 1934 was also the year in which the Snipe Class held its first World Championship. It went on to receive recognition as an International Class in 1958.