Nicholson (J-Class) “Velsheda” Specifications:
LOA: 127 ′ 6″ * LOD: 127′ 6″ * LWL: 83′ 0″ * Beam: 21′ 6″ * Draft: 15′ 1″ * Ballast: * Displacement: 143 tons * Sail Area: * Yard Number: * Hull Material: Steel * Rig: Bermudan Cutter * Class: J-Class Rule * Designer: Charles E. Nicholson * Built by: Camper & Nicholson, Gosport, United Kingdom * Year Built: 1933 * Restored By: Dijkstra and Mumford * Current Name: Velsheda * Original Owner: W.L. Stephenson * Current Owner: * Sail Number: J/K7
Known Racing History:
1934 – Won more than 40 races with Captain Mountifield, from Southend to Dartmouth, Torbay, Swanage and the Solent;
Known Restoration History:
1998 – Modernised by Dijkstra and Mumford, with carbon-fibre mast and refaired hull, in Southampton
1984 – Rescued by Terry Brabant
Historical:
W.L. Stephenson, owner of Woolworths, named Velsheda after his three daughters, Velma, Sheila and Daphne. She was not designed to compete for the America’s Cup but she often raced against “Endeavour”, “Shamrock” and “Britannia”, between 1933 – 1936.