At the bottom of the painting is a subtle nod from artist to athlete to bring home the silverware from Beijing.
A gold medal presents a ghostly image in the waters surrounding the 24 Team GB sailors in the painting, drawing them closer and closer to the main prize.
It is artist Brian Wests own unique send-off to the British team sailors going to the Olympic Games in China this summer.
And when his new creation goes under the hammer at the fifth quadrennial Sail for Gold Ball at the Hilton on Park Lane on Wednesday 11 June, West will once again know he is playing his part in helping the sailing stars of today and tomorrow achieve their Olympic aspirations.
Since 1992 the Sail for Gold Ball has acted as the formal black tie farewell for the sailors heading off to the respective Olympics but the Ball also serves an important dual purpose to raise much-needed funds to support Britains most promising young sailing talents as well as those who have already topped podiums worldwide.
West was commissioned to produce his first Sail for Gold artwork by Ball Event Director Gavia Wilkinson-Cox ahead of the 1996 Games in Atlanta and now with his fourth work about to be unveiled, the renowned Nottinghamshire-based artist admits it is always a nail-biting time in the countdown to Ball day.
He said: In terms of how long a Sail for Gold painting takes to complete, it is five months involvement condensed into five weeks action!
Apart from marking the selection of the particular sailors representing Britain by trying to faithfully achieve a degree of action study likeness in each class, I like to encapsulate something of the Games venue itself within the hopefully fluid montage.
To pay homage to the sport, I do my best to produce a tonally-balanced painting in its own right as well as a semi photo-real documentary record of the event itself.
West has built up an enviable reputation over his 35 years as a professional artist to the great and good of the sports world. Among the celebrated names that have commissioned his work are Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, former England football captain Gary Lineker and England cricket legend David Gower.
He admits his own sailing prowess is restricted to being a landlocked armchair amateur sailor but says he has a deep respect for the brave British sailors who do battle with the elements everytime they go to train or compete.
And with Britain looking to retain its mantle as the top Olympic sailing nation for the third Games running in Beijing, West was keen to incorporate his own private good luck message in his latest painting.
He added: I thought I would help them by ghosting in an image of a Beijing gold medal at the centre bottom of the painting so that they know it is floating in the water with them, within reach by right of being there as the best of the best. I wish them all strength of self belief and the power of positive thought.
As well as the original artwork being auctioned, limited edition prints of the painting, sponsored by North One Design Sails, will also be on sale on the night, some signed by the British team sailors.
HRH The Princess Royal, President of the Royal Yachting Association, will present the sailors representing Great Britain in China at the Ball opening ceremony while Peter Harrison, Chairman and founder of GBR Challenge and the Peter Harrison Foundation, is the Balls principal sponsor for the third time.
Popular TV star Davina McCall, will for the second successive Ball, host the evenings fundraising appeal.
For further information on the Sail for Gold Ball contact Gavia Wilkinson-Cox, Event Director at
gold2008@eventnetwork.demon.co.uk or call 01983 299961.