By Russ Kramer

Valkyrie III bears down on Defender at the start of the second race of the infamous America’s Cup of 1895, her boom swinging over the heads of Captain Hank Haff, designer Nat Herreshoff and syndicate head C. Oliver Iselin. In a moment it will snag Defender’s topmast shroud, setting off a storm of controversy.

This painting was first shown at the June 2004 America’s Cup Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Newport, RI, honoring Captain Hank Haff, and will be featured at the 2004 Mystic International Marine Art Exhibition. The original oil on canvas, measuring 40" x 27", is now in private collection

Russ Kramer writes: “I was so inspired by Nat Herreshoff’s first-hand account of this incident, describing how C. Oliver Iselin hollered “we will hold our course!” to Valkyrie III as her boom swung directly over the heads of those onboard Defender. What a sight that must have been! So I wanted to put us right on deck, as if we were eyewitnesses to ‘The Foul’ as it happened. It is perhaps the most infamous incident in the history of the America’s Cup, due entirely to Valkyrie owner Lord Dunraven’s strident poor sportsmanship after the fact.”