Photos of the 1979 Worlds at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club

The 1979 Worlds at Long Beach California was the first fleet racing world championship. Previously the International 14 class had used their international team racing week to establish international bragging rights.

The 1979 World Champ, John Gallagher, sends along these photos, taken by Peter Gale, of that championship.

Peter Gale

A little bit of bother on the spinnaker set.

Peter Gale

John Gallagher, with his brother Dave, in US 906

Peter Gale

Peter Gale

The double wire, much lighter, Aussie 14-footers were invited as an "open class". The International 14's were able to stay with, and even win, against them in the light air races but once the Aussie 14-footers were able to use both wires, they were away.

Peter Gale

This appearance by the Australians at the 1979 Worlds was the beginning of the International 14 class moving towards an Aussie 14. Today the modern International 14 is considered an Aussie skiff without reservation.

Photos of SteveToschi, Dave Klipfel

I've posted two photos of Steve Toschi and Dave Klipfel over at my companion blog, Earwigoagin. Steve and Dave were the top team in the U.S in the mid 1970's.

US 915 - The Lowman Mk 1 - A 1970's clinker design

Clinker or lapstrake designs are a rarity in the International 14, particularly from the 1950's onward (we do have the lapstrake designs of the Canadians, from the period just before and after WWII, during the transition from the LSSA 14 to International 14 - see this previous post). There was several Proctor 6's that were built in clinker by Wyche and Coppock from England during the 1960's but that was about it. Thus US 915, home designed and built by Seattle 14'er Rich Lowman as a clinker design, is an anomaly.  US 915 surfaced on the Internet recently when owner Marcus Raichle put her up for sale. It is a plywood 6-planker, the hull form described as somewhere between a Kirby 4 and Kirby 5; a Kirby 4 1/2. The interior tank layout is typical of this period but leading the jib outside the hull and then to a turning block to re-enter the hull was certainly unconventional. This one-of-a-kind 14 has found a new owner.

Photos sent along by Marcus.

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Update 07/16: Eli Semke writes to say he has purchased US 915

"I recently purchased International 14 hull US 915. Cool boat! This is my introduction to International 14’s, though I remember more modern ones sailing out of Shilshole. Thought I’d reach out, let you know where she’s at (Port Townsend). I’d love to learn about the history of this boat.

1971 Canadian Team at Annapolis

Former C&C designer, Rob Mazza, sends along a photo of the Canadian team at the 1971 Team Races in Annapolis. This was the first year an American Team won; the West Coast team taking the Team Race Championship - 6 wins to 3 losses. (Note the funnelator, a water-filled-balloon launcher popular for amusement at regattas, both on and off the water in those years - until someone suffered eye damage.)

Standing, L to R, Graeme Hayward (RSt.L.YC), Arthur Earl, Peter Jones (crew for Harry Jemmett).
Kneeling, L to R, John Robertson (RHYC), Ewan Swan (crew for Graham Hayward), George Overend (crew for John Robertson), Harry Jemmett (KYC), Rob Mazza (crew for Arthur Earl).

Bob Reeves bombing around under spinnaker

Most of what I have in the photo archives are of the Annapolis International 14 fleet, understandably, since I live in Annapolis and sailed with the Annapolis fleet. Bob Reeves, with wife Peggy as crew, was one of the top Annapolis 14 sailors from the mid 60's through the 70's. Here is a series of photos of Bob and Peggy sailing their Kirby IV under spinnaker (I'm guessing early 1970's as it looks like Peggy is wearing a trapeze harness). Photos taken by Ellie Martin. (Click in the photo to get a larger format and to start a slideshow.)

Bob and Peggy perfectly in control.

Bob and Peggy perfectly in control.

Oops! Bob and Peggy not in control.

Old 14'er "Doc" posts on his blog

Another blogger, "Doc Haagen-Dazs" has an interesting post up on his blog about his time in a glass Schock, number 683, International 14.

I don't have records of #683 but #685 was built by Schock in 1961. I don't think Schock's hulls at that time were Kirby's but instead one of Uffa's Mk's.

Northwyn Sails Ads

During the 1970's, Northwyn Sails out of Seattle was the supplier to the hot shot West Coast fleet. Their head sail designer, Mark Schmidt, wrote an interesting article on International 14 sail development for the North American sailing rag, One Design and Offshore Yachtsman magazine. Northwyn Sails were also kind enough to put some ads into "Planing On", the class newsletter, which featured some good photographs of 14's.

The first is an International 14 start, this may have been at the CORK regatta, Kingston Ontario.......

The second photo is, I think, of Baird Bardason screaming along on a two sail reach.......