RANGER Leads the J-Class Fleet Off Marblehead, 1937

oil, 30" x 40"

SOLD

After winning the 1937 America's Cup, RANGER joined 4 other "J" Class yachts in the New York Yacht Club's cruise of 1937. The cruise finished at Marblehead where the five J-Class yachts raced a series of five races, all held just off Marblehead, between August 28th and September 2nd, 1937. RANGER won all of the races but was seriously challenged by YANKEE at times.

The painting depicts the five "J's" running downwind under spinnaker. RANGER in the foreground, leads YANKEE, ENDEAVOUR  II (the unsuccessful challenger for the 1937 America's Cup), RAINBOW and ENDEAVOUR I, further back in the middle background. Sunlight reflects off the waves and clouds cast shadows over the foreground and YANKEE. The large launch accompanying the "J's" is the WILHEMINA. Olin Stevens is on the wheel of RANGER with Harold Vanderbilt standing just to windward. Gertrude Vanderbilt is just to leeward of Olin. Rod Stevens is standing just to windward of the mast, keeping an eye on the foredeck area. Harold Vanderbilt usually helmed RANGER sailing to windward and Olin Stevens took over for sailing downwind.

RANGER was designed by Starling Burgess, with assistance from Olin Stevens. She was the most successful J-Class yacht in history winning 32 of the 34 J-Class races of the 1937 season.