The newly launched Shamrock V slides past in one of her early races, before sailing to challenge for the America's Cup in 1930. The bow wave glistens on her bottle-smooth bow planking. She retains the shroud channels of early large racers. Twelve of the crew of nineteen are visible; the others are out of sight on the counter, trimming their weight aft while she is before the wind. The second mate, Lemon Cranfield, is emerging from the foc's'le hatch, probably checking stowage for the spinnaker when it is brought downin a few seconds at the next mark. The boom is broad off and the mainsail is girt across the after shroud. Captain Edward Heard is at the wheel as she runs for the lee mark. The second mate stands by the skipper and a party of guests cluster by the deckhouse. The weather running backstay is set up but here the shifting backstay is invisible aloft.