Since 1851 when the yacht America won what has become the most celebrated award in the international world of sport, there have been twenty-six challenges for The America's Cup. Until 1984, it remained firmly bolted to the floor of the New York Yacht Club; then, in a series of races reported around the world, Australia took the Cup away. In 1987, six nations and ten syndicates will challenge for the Cup in Perth, Australia. It will be the most highly publicized event in yachting history, and this is the book to celebrate that long, glamorous saga. It contains twenty-six magnificent oil paintings by a new marine artist who has been hailed as a genius. Each picture is the result of intense research and depicts that instant in each America's Cup series in which victory or defeat was determined. The text sets each series in context, outlines each race, and tells the story of that "winning moment" illustrated in each painting. The artist, Tim Thompson, started painting the sea when he lived with his parents on the tiny island of Herm in the Channel Islands. He now works from his studio in Cornwall. His fine technique is reminiscent of former great marine artists and his paintings, noted for their superb expression of wind and light, are increasingly in demand throughout the world. Ranulf Rayner, recognising the young artist's amazing talent, commissioned Thompson to paint the twenty-six large canvasses which appear in this beautiful book. The introduction covers the background to the Cup, and touches on the fascinating and painstaking research undertaken in order to create these quite exceptional paintings, each accompanied by its own absorbing story. This superb volume will undoubtedly be treasured by all who love the sea and sailing. Foreword by Ted Turner.