A strange couple defied the N.Y.Y.C.

At the conclusion of the races of Puritan and Genesta, the New York Yacht Club took up the challenge of Lieut. William Henn of the Galatea, and at a meeting held October 22d, 1885, definitely accepted it, fixing the races for the following year. The conditions arranged for the races were practically the same as those in the 1885 series.

THE CUP TO REMAIN HERE !

THE PURITAN, THOUGH NOT WELL HANDLED, BEATS THE GENESTA 1 MN 38 S, CORRECTED TIME

Copyright © The New York Times : Published: September 17, 1885
There was hardly any swell upon the ocean yesterday morning, but its surface was crisp with the ruffles of a fresh northwest wind when the judges’ boat arrived at the Scotland Lightship.

Trials inconclusive

As agreed in the contract, the shipyard has organized trials for the America. It's against the Maria, Commodore Stevens' fast sloop, which, in smooth water in the neighborhood of Sandy Hook, easily outsailed the new schooner. She is said to have sailed completely around the schooner three times in a short distance.

Nobody in America's Cup history has sailed in the afterguard of more successful Cup boats than Hank Haff, skipper or tactician of four winners between 1881 and 1895. As of 2004, only Nathanael G. Herreshoff, C. Oliver Iselin, and Dennis Conner have matched his remarkable record.
Before the advent of Captain Charley Barr, his supremacy in America was unquestioned.

Sheppard was a true Renaissance Man: successful as an artist, teacher, author, yachtsman, navigator and yacht designer. He studied painting under the excellent M.F.H. de Haas in New York City, and received his formal art training at the Cooper Union.

Artist in oil, watercolour and drypoint, usually of marine subjects. Illustrator and poster artist, he also made an important contribution in both World Wars in the field of dazzle camouflage.
Born in Cambridge in 1878 he was educated at Berkhamsted School of Art.