The latest from Loose Cannon Peter Swanson
Nowadays, the race for the America’s Cup looks like science fiction with “flying monohulls” skimming along at 50 knots, hoisted by foils above the aqueous friction. It is a sign of how far we’ve come, however, that the original America, after which the race was named, inspired similar awe when in 1851 the Yankee schooner humbled Britain’s fastest yachts in a race attended by Queen Victoria.¹
Who came in second, she asked? “There is no second, your majesty.”
The answer was a characteristically British characterization of a blow-out. Had the Queen asked, “What now for America?” the Future might have whispered in her ear, “Honey, you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet.”
America had a second act, and it would be a far wilder ride than her first, albeit little remembered. Read on.
