1962 America's Cup

1962 saw "Easterner" designed by Ray Hunt return, "Neferitti" designed and sailed by Ted Hood and a re-designed "Weatherly"(Phil Rhodes) back in Newport vying for the right to defend the America's Cup.

26 years ago in 12 meter history

The New York Yacht Club lost the America's Cup 26 years ago this September. Change is always troubling for anyone. I have always regarded this event as: the right thing happened for all the wrong reasons.

Change is inevitable, we all know, but all resist nonetheless. This was one of those occasions. It breathed new life into the Cup life.

12 meter North American Championships 2008

September 20-21, 2008 the 12 meter North American Championships were held in Newport,RI. It was the debut for the newly re-fit "Victory 83" which showed great potential.

Courageous won again, as did Hissar, and Weatherly, sailed by Clayton Deutch.

12 meters

If you have read my blog, you have found entries about past America's cup programs when the 12 meters were still the boats being raced. The Julibee in 2001 breathed new life into the class. Many older boats being restored and raced.It is because these boats were built to Lloyd's scantlings that they survived at all.

While a twelve meter is a heavy slow boat by today's standards, they are thrilling to sail for other reasons, and are about as elegant and graceful as a boat can be.

In Newport there are at least 15 twelve meters. and more than twenty on the East Coast. A regatta can attract enough boat to make a sight, at the same time provide a venue where we "oldtimers" can still look useful and active.Of course it is always an opportunity for old shipmates to re-unite.

An association for north america was formed and a regatta schedule created including an annual championship, and a world championship; all of which I have participated in, winning a few.

12 US 22 Intrepid

1978-1979 I sailed aboard Intrepid about 100 days each season. I was the crew boss, responsible for scheduling crew as we were having tryouts. I was also the tactician, and sometime helmsman. additionally I had to make certain the boat was prepared each day.

Gerry Driscoll was the skipper, as good as I have ever sailed with. We raced France 3 again and again, Bic had visiting skippers, Bill Ficker, Lowell North and others. Gerry would quietly say to me , were do you want me to put them, He never lost a start and we failed to be first at the windward mark only once in the two seasons.