International successes
Gold medals
In 1952 the New Zealand Yachting Federation was formed to prepare for the Melbourne Olympic Games, and to administer the national classes. Four years later, Cantabrians Peter Mander and Jack Cropp won a gold medal in the Sharpie class.
The sweet taste of international success, after a century of isolation, was enhanced 18 months later. Geoff Smale and Ralph Roberts won the Prince of Wales Cup in the International 14 class at Cowes, England.
In 1964 New Zealand once more won an Olympic gold medal in the Flying Dutchman class.
Offshore racing
The outlook of New Zealand yachtsmen and designers became increasingly international and eclectic. Nouméa, Suva, trans-Tasman and coastwise races, like the Labour Weekend Coastal Classic, tested keel yachts and their crews to the limit.
There were some tragedies; yachts that disappeared, or foundered through whale strikes, or piled ashore in terrible weather. In the 1951 race from Wellington to Lyttelton, 10 people lost their lives. But there was an exponential improvement in standards of design and construction of boats and their gear, in safety standards and seamanship.
Southern Cross Cup
Three Kiwi yachts entered in the 1967–68 Southern Cross Cup, including the Sydney–Hobart race. Chris Bouzaid’s entry, Rainbow II, won the ocean race. The team came second overall in the Southern Cross Cup.
One Ton Cup
In 1968 Rainbow II was shipped to Germany for the One Ton Cup, and gained second place. In 1969 she won the event. New Zealand was emerging as a major force in world yachting.
One small step
New Zealanders heard about the success of Chris Bouzaid’s team in the One Ton Cup on 21 July 1969 – the same day that the first moon landing was broadcast. For certain New Zealanders glued to the radio, there was some doubt as to which was the more important achievement.
Designers
Young designers, experienced in the centreboard classes, began designing keel yachts of an international standard. Prominent were Laurie Davidson, John Spencer, Ron Given, Alan Warwick, Jim Young, Hal Wagstaff, Alan Wright, John Lidgard and Des Townson.
In 1979 the government introduced a 20% tax on boats. However, as boats built for export were exempt from the tax, some entrepreneurs developed this market. Expertise in infrastructures, designs and materials, and unrivalled standards of workmanship took New Zealand yachts to the cutting edge. New designers included Bruce Farr, Ron Holland, Paul Whiting and Greg Elliott.
Professionalism
International success turned amateur yachties into professionals. Kiwi men and women worked internationally, crewing in high-profile events, including the Whitbread Round the World race. With the rise of sponsorship, boats displayed corporate names and logos.
Peter Blake
In 1980 Ceramco New Zealand won line and handicap honours in the Sydney–Hobart race. The yacht was skippered by Peter Blake and designed by Bruce Farr. Starting in the 1981–82 Whitbread race, Ceramco broke her mast in the South Atlantic, ending her chance of line honours. The team flew a new mast to Cape Town, and the yacht completed the race.
Blake’s subsequent career as both an offshore yachtsman and ambassador for the sport was outstanding. His multihull Steinlager 1 won the round-Australia race in 1988, and Enza won the Jules Verne trophy for a world circumnavigation in 1994. He won the 1988–89 Whitbread in Steinlager 2, while Grant Dalton won it again in 1994 in New Zealand Endeavour.
New Zealand’s advances in design, construction and seamanship led to the next step: presenting a challenge for the America’s Cup.
