ON ONTHE THEWATER WATER 5
There is a lovely expressionist print of a racing yacht in the downstairs hallway near the stairs and opposite the Salty Sister niche which many of you have passed hundreds of times. What exactly is it ? The mystery has been revealed. Please read on! July 24-26, 1998, John & Ginger Hanner were part of a SPYC contingency headed to Newport, Rhode Island, to participate in one of the fundraising campaigns for Skipper Ed Baird and his Team Young America** training there during the summer for the 2000 America’s Cup Campaign. The team’s sponsor was the New York Y.C. , but SPYC had a significant contributing interest as well. Sponsors such as PC Bill & Hazel Hough, PC Bill & Marian Ballard, PC Skipp & Joyce Fraser, PC Don & Ginny Bogue, John & Ginger Hanner in Newport. Jim & Linda Castle, Carl & Kathi Hall, PC Rich & Char-Nel Doyle, Ken & Barbara Cowan, Richard & Julie Priestley, Steve & Debbie Lang, Gloria Lewallen, Nancy Vildibill, PC Bill & Sherry Welch, Ardith Rutland, Lon & Jill Compton, Joe & Aila McEwen… to name a few.
Neiman Print 1964 America’s Cup Challenge
That Summer weekend, the Hanners recall being shuttled out to Block Island Sound on 41 ft. R.I.B. inflatables to watch the racing and have the opportunity to hitch a ride on one of the Cup Class boats – Young America USA36 and Spirit of Rhode Island USA39. Ed Baird: “We had several yacht clubs, from around the US, who were involved and each had multiple donors who came to sail with us in Newport. With two boats, we often spilt guests between the teams for the day, and some days shuttled guests on and off the boats to allow for more people to enjoy the experience. I always tried to give them some time on the helm (John was one of those people), which helped them understand the loads on the boat and how sensitive they were to helm and sail adjustments. Any sailor was decidedly impressed. In fact, even the leader of the Blue Angels thanked us by saying it was the coolest day of his life!”
It was during one of the many Newport fund-raising events, that John & Ginger Hanner purchased the Leroy Neiman* print of the 1964 America’s Cup you now see hanging in the main hall to the North side of the stairs. We whole heartedly thank the Hanners for their generous donation to the Club! * * *
July 1998 Lobster Dinner in Newport L-R: John & Ginger Hanner; Chris Fraser, PC Don Bogue; PC Skipp Fraser
* LeRoy Neiman’s painting of the 1964 American’s Cup is a silkscreen print on an original NOAA oceanic map titled Martha's vineyard to Block Island. [The 1964 America’s Cup was held September at Newport, Rhode Island. US defender from the New York YC, Constellation, defeated the British challenger from the Royal Thames YC, Sovereign, 4 races to zero.]
* * * **In 2000, Team Young America went on to sail Young America USA53 in the 30th America’s Cup yacht race. However, during one of the trials, they broke the boat in half and never recovered, not making the semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup in Auckland, New Zealand.]
By: Trisha Birkenstock SMOOTH SAILING | MARCH 2021
