Velsheda

Ее создал Никольсон по заказу бизнесмена Уильяма Стивенсона. Эта J-яхта не участвовала в КА, но гонялась во многих других регатах, в том числе и с “кубковыми” “Shemrock V” и “Endeavour”. В 1938 яхту оставили у причала на реке Хамбл и забыли о ней почти на 50 лет.

“Velsheda” до 1984 года стояла на реке Хамбл, где ее нашел Терри Брабант. Он приобрел яхту, отремонтировал ее: поставил новую стальную мачту и привел в порядок интерьер. Одно время “Velsheda” даже участвовала в Island Race и показывала неплохие результаты. Потом, сменив несколько владельцев и пройдя капитальный ремонт и модернизацию, в 1999 году яхта оказалась у Рональда де Ваала, голландского бизнесмена, который и является теперешним владельцем.

Designed by Charles Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholson in 1933 for Mr W.L. Stephenson, Owner of Woolworth chain of shops, she was built in 1933 at Gosport. She was Nicholson’s second design for a J Class and Stephenson’s second big yacht. “Velsheda” was named after Stephenson’s three daughters, Velma, Sheila and Daphne. Stephenson never planned to compete for the America’s Cup but rather her raced with the greatest names in classic yachting including “Britannia”, “Endeavour” and “Shamrock” between 1933 and 1936.In her second season she won more than 40 races and achieved an outstanding record of success at Regattas from Southend to Dartmouth. Other venues included Torbay, Swanage and the Solent, all under the control of the famous Captain Mountifield.In her day – around the late 1930’s, she represented the most advanced technical design for spars, rigging, sails, deck gear and ropes. Her masts were aluminium, made by bending plates and riveting them together. Sails were made from the new Terylene threads and deck gear now included winches for easier handling of sheets. The standing rigging in the 30s was solid rod.Below decks accommodation was limited to just the main saloon, owners quarters aft, and storage for sails and equipment forward.By 1937 she was laid up in a mud berth on the Hamble and became derelict. Many sailors remember visiting her – one recalls sailing in the annual Warming Pan race at Hamble River Sailing Club, and all the visiting crew being taken up the river to their overnight accommodation – Velsheda!This unique yacht was rescued in 1984 by Terry Brabant, who economically refitted her for charter work with a new steel mast and limited interior. Still without an engine she sailed regularly along the UK South Coast on charter and occasionally ventured to the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

‘Velsheda’ was purchased in 1996 as a bare hull lying at mooring in Portsmouth Harbour, and was taken to Southampton Yacht Services, on the River Itchen where a two year comprehensive rebuild was completed to bring her back into immaculate racing condition. She was fitted with the tallest one piece carbon mast in the world and a comprehensive suit of racing sails were produced, developed from wind tunnel testing at Southampton University. She was re-launched in November 1997.

1998 – won Antigua Classic Regatta2001- competed at J Class Regatta, Solent against Shamrock V and Endeavour2001 – competed in the America’s Cup Jubilee Regatta in the Solent. 2002-2012 – competed each year at the Maxi yacht regatta, Sardinia and les Voiles de St Tropez, France, and crossed the Atlantic twice each year to compete in Antigua Classics.2010 – won her class in Round the Island race, Isle of Wight, UK2012 – competed at the J Class Falmouth Regatta.2012 – won the J Class Solent Regatta and competed in 100 Guinea Cup race around the Isle of Wight. Velsheda’s owner took the King’s Corinthian Cup, awarded to the best yacht with an amateur helm at the four day Event.2013 – competed at St Barths Bucket2013 – competed at Superyacht Cup, Palma2013 – won three races and J Class overall at Maxi Rolex Cup, Porto Cervo2013 – won two races and J Class overall at Les Voiles de St Tropez2014 – competed at Superyacht Cup, Palma2014 – competed at Maxi Rolex Cup, Porto Cervo2014 – competed at Les Voiles de St Tropez2015