Lot 263: Skipper's choice; The Yachts Volunteer and Thistle during the 1887 America's Cup

Scott Cameron (American, b. 1946)
Skipper's choice; The YachtsVolunteerandThistleduring the 1887 America's Cup
signed 'Scott Cameron' (lower right)
oil on canvas
26 x 44 in.

Thistle designed by G.L. Watson was intended as the Scottish challenger for the America's Cup in 1887. However, she lost two out of her three races against Volunteer . Despite a reputation of being hard to sail to windward, she collected over 20 trophies in her first year and was ultimately sold to the Kaiser. Re-rigged and re-named Meteor , she was the first of five magnificent racing yachts, each called Meteor which he was to own over the next 25 years.