Model of the J-Class "Enterprise" in wood on mahogany base a - Lot 238

Model of the J-Class "Enterprise" in wood on mahogany base and glass and brass display case. Model builder's plate. LANNAN skip Model Boston. Circa 1970/80 Model size : H. 83 cm L. 52 cm Display case size: H. 97 cm W. 82 cm D. 30 cm Provenance : - Lannan Ship Model Gallery Boston USA - Sale Christie's NY February 10, 2004 Lot 101 Enterprise is a sailing yacht created in 1930 for the Vanderbilt syndicate to meet the British America's Cup challenger, the Shamrock V. Built at the Herreshoff & Co shipyards, the boat was designed by William Starling Burgess and bore the regatta number J4. She is the first American defender in the brand-new J Class. It was the first racing yacht designed with a duralumin mast and the first to be fitted with 23 winches. Its technological lead enabled it to win the 1930 Newport showdown against its wooden-built competitor, the Shamrock V. Considered obsolete by her owner, she was sold for demolition in 1935, just 5 years after her construction. History of the America's Cup The Cup was originally known as the "R.Y.S. £100 Cup", awarded in 1851 by the British Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) for a race around the Isle of Wight in the UK. It was the schooner "S/Y America", owned by a syndicate of New York Yacht Club (NYYC) members, that won the race. In 1857, the syndicate made a permanent gift of the trophy to the NYYC, renaming it the "America's Cup" in honor of the first winner and requiring that it be made available for international competition. Any yacht club meeting the requirements specified in the deed of gift has the right to challenge the yacht club currently holding the Cup. From the first defense of the Cup in 1870 to the twentieth defense in 1967, there has always been only one challenger. In 1970, several challengers applied, so a selection round was held to decide which candidate would become the official challenger and take part in the America's Cup match. This approach has been used for every subsequent competition. The Prada Cup (known as the Louis Vuitton Cup from 1983 to 2017) is awarded to the winner of the challenger selection series. The history and prestige associated with the America's Cup attracts the world's top sailors, yacht designers, wealthy entrepreneurs and sponsors. The trophy was held by the NYYC from 1857 to 1983. The NYYC successfully defended the trophy twenty-four times in succession before being defeated by the Royal Pert Yacht Club with the yacht Australia II. With its first victory in 1851, the NYYC holds the record for the longest winning streak in any sport, with a total of 132 years.