Velsheda JK7
Velsheda racing at the 2014 J Class Regatta Palma oil on panel 6x12inches
Originally built in 1933 for W L Stephenson the Chairman of Woolworths in England. Velsheda was the only J Class yacht built not to compete for the America’s Cup. Designed by Charles Nicholson the designer of Shamrock V, the unsuccessful 1930 America’s Cup challenger. Named after Stephenson’s 3 daughters Velma, Shella and Daphne Velsheda was a great success in her maiden season of 1933 easily dominating the British Big class regatta circuit of that year. In 1934 when T.O.M Sopwith challenged for the America’s Cup with his new Yacht Endeavour it was made with the provision that if Velsheda proved the faster boat in the upcoming races scheduled between the two boats she could be substituted as the challenger.
Velsheda continued to race very successfully in the British big class racing regattas up to the end of 1937 when like many other large yachts she was laid up.
After the war she laid abandoned in a mud berth on the river Hamble stripped of her lead ballast, being used as a houseboat for a time. In the 1980s after numerous restoration attempts, she was restored to sailing trim and was seen racing again around the Solent. In the 1990s she had again fallen into disrepair and was purchased as an empty hull by her present owner who lavishly restored her. She made her famous debut with her J Class sisters Shamrock V and Endeavour at Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta in 1999. In 2001 she again raced them this time in her home waters of the Solent as part of the historic America’s Cup Jubilee Regatta at Cowes. Over the succeeding years Velsheda has been lovingly maintained to the very highest standard undergoing numerous refits to keep her competitive and racing with the growing class of new J Class yachts.