In 1967, the then International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU, now World Sailing) decided to run a week long series of trials (August 5-12) to determine the best “A” and “B” classes of catamaran design to be selected for International status. The trials were held at the Catamaran Yacht Club, Isle of Sheppey (a small island in the Thames Estuary, 40 miles to the east of London), Kent, UK.
Australis was chosen in the “A” class, and Tornado selected in the “B” class.
In 2012, ISAF uploaded this excellent original footage of the 1967 trials (https://youtu.be/v_uL4LilMWI):
“A” Class Results:
Notes:
Australis won 3 of 7 races.
Bambi, Catalina, Unicorn & Sail Fast won a race each.
“B” Class Results:
Notes:
The B Class was easily won by Tornado 1 sailed by Reg White and Bob Fisher, who took six first places out of nine races. Tornado II used an experimental wing mast.
The Tornado went on to be used for the Olympics from 1976 onwards. Nearly 50 years later, the Tornado is still the highest performance B Class catamaran.
Images of the trials (available to buy through PPL Media Ltd):
Links:
- Isle Of Sheppey Sailing Community
- A history of the Catamaran Yacht Club
- International Tornado Class
- Australian Tornado Class Facebook
- International A Class
- World Sailing
- ISAF 2016 Equipment Trials Blog
Flag icons courtesy of IconDrawer.com