In this exciting oil painting, probably set in 1929 by David Brackman, the two most successful Big Class racing yachts of the inter-war period 'Britannia' and 'Westward' race past the Needles in another round of their long rivalry. With Sir Thomas Lipton's 'Shamrock' in pursuit, they epitomise the power and grace of the Big Class era. In a close-hauled battle Britannia is probably just ahead of 'Westward' with 'White Heather' and 'Shamrock' very much in contention as they head into Christchurch Bay.