The Story of America's Cup, 1851-2003. This item is unavailable.The Story of America's Cup, 1851-2003

The America's Cup has been the world's most prestigious race for ocean-going yachts since the first contest was held between America and Great Britain in 1851. This superb book tells the story of the Cup from the beginning, presenting a unique collection of beautiful paintings of a dramatic scene from every match since 1851, culminating in the shocking 2003 victory of the Swiss syndicate, Alinghi, over the previously undefeated New Zealand team. Enlarged details of each painting reveal the artist's incredible attention to detail. There are also maps of the courses, and line illustrations of every competing yacht. The artist, Tim Thompson, started painting the sea when he lived with his parents on the tiny island of Hern in the Channel Islands in England. His fine technique is reminiscent of former great marine artists and his paintings, noted for their superb expression of wind and light, are in demand throughout the world. After recognizing the young artist's amazing talent and arranging a successful exhibition of Thompson's work at Cowest on the Isle of Wight, where the yacht America had first won the Cup, Rayner commissioned Thompson to paint the 26 large canvasses for the first edition of this book -- The Paintings of the America's Cup 1851-1987. More paintings portraying all the matches since 1987, and with accompanying text and illustrations, have since been added.