Shamrock V rounding the Cork light vessel off Felixstowe, Suffolk during her first race, June 1930. Her three headsails rig without a bowsprit was reckoned to be advanced for a large British yacht, but unfortunately the hollow spruce mast was heavy and stilted her performance against the American Enterprise in the America's Cup races held in September.

The photograph shows the Harwich Regatta in full flow and all hands are full of hope and keenness, but Captain Heard at the wheel already feels the weight of her mast and knows that, although the beautiful green Shamrock V leads the British big class, she will have to make superhuman efforts to beat the Americans.