Hard Beat to Windward, Britannia and Vigilant

In 1894 the American yacht VIGILANT sailed across the Atlantic to take part in the English circuits. Her designer Nathanael Herreshoff came over to assess performance prior to the America's Cup Races the preceding year .  Prior to Cowes Week she took part in a private match with the Prince of Wales's cutter the BRITANNIA on a long course set in the Solent, arousing much public interest. The prize was a £100 silver cup to be presented to the winner by the owner of the losing yacht.  Hundreds of spectator boats assembled off the Royal Yacht Squadron start line to witness the match. The race went ahead in a stiff westerly breeze, testing the VIGILANT'S brand-new set of sails she'd had to quickly be made by Ratsey and Lapthorn, after her originals had stretched too much. Even so she won the race by 4 minutes and 29 seconds, both yachts returning to Cowes with much cheering.