Winning the King’s Cup: An Account of the “Elena’s” Race to Spain.

BELL, Helen G.

Item Number: 112850

New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1928.

First edition of Helen Bell’s account of the 1928 Ocean Race to Spain. Quarto, original cloth, tissue-guarded frontispiece of King Alfonso XIII, illustrated, ten folding charts and plans. From the library of of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in 2002 in his 10-story high balloon Spirit of Freedom. He completed the 2002 trip in 13 days, 8 hours, and 33 minutes and set records for both the Longest Distance Flown Solo in a Balloon and Fastest Balloon Flight Around the World. Fossett was also one of sailing’s most prolific distance record holders set the Absolute World Speed Record for airships with a Zeppelin NT in 2004. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career including aviation’s highest award, the Gold Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which he was awarded in 2002. Fossett disappeared on September 3, 2007 while flying a light aircraft over the Great Basin Desert, between Nevada and California. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket which is in very good condition.

Winning the King's Cup described how the famed yacht Elena won the 1928 King of Spain's Cup in the first transatlantic race since 1905. The grueling contest battling winds and calms was met at its conclusion with a brilliant reception by King and court at Santander, the summer capital of Spain, and made for an epoch-making event in the yachting world.