The painting depicts the “America” sailing ‘wing and wing’ ( mainsail to port, foresail to starboard and jib to port) as she races past the Needles during the race for the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup, now known as the America’s Cup. Her well eased mainsail and jib are encouraging her to roll to windward showing her newly painted glistening black topsides (painted in France, after she crossed the Atlantic) reflecting the waves and sky.
The royal yacht “Victoria and Albert”, with Queen Victoria aboard, is steaming to catch up with “America”. The “America” is about to lower her ensign and all crew to take off their hats as a mark of respect to the Queen.

An excursion steamer, a small red sailed yawl and a small steamer can be seen to leeward of the “Victoria and Albert”. Astern of “America” and just appearing through the mist and light showers, is the cutter “Wildfire”. Although she was an unofficial entrant in the race, because she carried moveable sand bags as ballast, she caught and past “America” as the wind went very light on the run to the finish off The Castle at Cowes.

Clouds cast shadows across the foreground and the excursion steamer and some of the cliffs in the background. The “America” is ‘lit up’ in a patch of sparkling sunlit water.

At 8.37pm, to the sound of cannon fire from The Castle and cheers from the crowds thronging the shoreline, “America” crossed the finish line to win the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup.