| Expectant press - proud owner |
Hanuman, the re-creation of the J class yacht Endeavour II, with naval architecture and exterior design by Dykstra & Partners and interior design from Pieter Beeldsnijder, lives up to her aspirations with a double win over Ranger at the Newport Bucket.
Having successfully completed her sail trials in Holland, Hanuman sailed transatlantic on her own keel to arrive in Newport RI with time for just five practice days of race training before the first gun in the 2009 Newport Bucket.
Crossing the infamous Bay of Biscay to make landfall in the Canaries, Hanuman dipped her bow southward to sail the well-travelled trade wind route and conserve her limited fuel supply before turning northward for Bermuda and Newport.
At Newport the stakes were high and the adrenaline flowing – this would not only be the first time that Hanuman would race, but this first encounter would be against the replica of her old arch-rival Ranger. History loomed large here in Newport because, in the controversial 1937 clash between Endeavour II and Ranger in the last ever J-Class America’s Cup, Ranger had secured victory.
Fast forward to 2009. The replicas meet and Hanuman demonstrates her pace to Ranger with a two-for-two victory. This time, no tired sails and crew and - advantaged by state of the art construction methods within the rules of the J Class Association - Hanuman makes it clear that, whilst the jury may be out, she has what it takes to compete and win.
