The fleet arrives...

Ocean-going dry dock Super Servant 3 opens her back doors and lets history pour out

Today the Super Servant 3 delivered an estimated £10 million worth of vintage classic and modern yachts and motor cruisers many of which are here to take part in the America's Cup Jubilee regatta. Many form part of the impressive 12 metres fleet belonging to the New York Yacht Club that were responsible for keeping the Cup in US hands for so long. For many this is their first time in UK waters.



One of the last to unload and probably one of the most beautiful was Lionheart, Peter de Savary's 1979 challenger who raced under the flag of the Royal Southern Yacht Club. Now in immaculate order and with a classic dark blue hull she is returning to her home in front of the Royal Southern.

Other 12 metres to arrive were four Cup winners. Columbia who was the victorious defender in 1958 with Briggs Cunningham at the helm. Fiddler was Dennis Conner's America II , the boat which brought the Cup back to the States in 1987 Cup and one of the last aluminium hulls to be built. Also unloaded were Freedom (1980) and Intrepid (1970). So it looks like most of the recent winners of the America's Cup will be joining Australia II the most famous 12 metre of them all (and who has already been making her presence felt in the Solent) in next week's spectacle.

American Eagle (1964), Gleam (1937), Neffertiti (1962) and the stunning Northern Light (1938) still with original wooden mast and boom were some of the other 12s to arrive. The classics were also joined by some modern 'plastic fantastics' including Chris Dickson's Hissar KZ5 better known as Kiwi Magic. They will be joining many others in Cowes Yacht Haven marina in what will be by far the largest gathering of America's Cup boats ever seen.

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