1928 International Championship – Newport Harbor, California

1928 International Championship – Newport Harbor, California

The following results are from George Elder's book "Forty Years Among The Stars". In common with the early Logs, it is interesting to note that in his results Elder does not give the yacht numbers of the boats which participated in the World's, but only just their names. It was not until the 1950 Log that yacht numbers were included in the results. From 1950 through 1976 both yacht numbers and names were given but starting with 1977 frequently only yacht numbers were given.

The last time both yacht numbers and yacht names were given was 1989. In later years, sometimes fleet designations were omitted. In these cases, some of the more obvious fleet designations were supplied. Also, from time to time only last names were supplied. First names, where known, were added.

Abbreviations etc: Dsa - Disabled. Dsq - Disqualified. Dns - Did Not Start. Wdr - Withdrew. Ch - Chairman. B - Builder. * - Defending Fleet. 0 - No points, reason not given.

1928 - OFF NEWPORT HARBOR, CALIFORNIA

*Sail-off. tie for 2nd. Winning yacht No. 486. B - Joe Parkman, Brooklyn, N.Y. 1928.
Ch. Meeting - P. E. Edrington. Ch. I.R.C. - H. M. Worcester.

Regatta Report from the 1929 Log

THE TITLE SHIFTS TO THE SOUTHLAND 
Experiences with past Internationals had taught the dopesters not to class any entry as a top heavy favorite; however, most was expected of Windward and Undine. Windward had cleaned out the Pacific Coast for three consecutive years and was a veteran Internationalist, while Undine had been highly successful on the Atlantic Coast and was considered hard to beat. Tempe III, Ace, Budsal II and Movie Star II were also given an even chance with little to choose from among these six boats. Sparkler II, Okla and Ara were given little thought, being unknown quantities. The other contestants were not considered, except possibly by men from their own home waters. 

Each of the five races were to be sponsored by an individual club, with the I. R. C. conducting all races. The clubs were in order, the Balboa Y. C., Balboa Island Y. C., Lido Island Y. C., Santa Ana C. C. and Newport Harbor Y. C. As in the previous year, there were again seventeen entries, from as many different parts of the world. Fleets were restricted to one entry which must be chosen by elimination: therefore, all contestants were the proven champions of their particular locality. They covered territory from the Hawaiian Islands to Peconic Bays, Long Island, and from British Vancouver to Cuba. 

The morning of the first race finally arrived with its usual early morning fog, only to have the sun break through gloriously and reveal the varied activities in and around the harbor. Contestants were impatiently waiting, all being on edge for the series, which was to bring glory or disappointment, to begin. Three Coast Guards finally arrived and the endless procession to the rendezvous off Balboa Pier started. Yachts and boats of all descriptions, everything seaworthy enough to venture into the Pacific, were outward bound. The I. R. C. set signals for a windward and leeward course, establishing the line a quarter mile out from the pier at Balboa.

The First Race 
The starting gun boomed and seventeen Stars, close hauled, shot over the line in less than a minute. The wind was west and moderate a fair racing breeze. The famous Internationals were on with a long thrash to windward. Undine and Movie Star II had worked the shore and rounded the weather mark in that order, followed by Ara, Ace and Windward. Then on the long run before the wind, Ace proceeded to pass Ara and Movie Star and just nosed out Undine at the mark for the lead. Ara had dropped back to fifth and Windward had moved up to fourth, Ara losing four more places on the beat to the windward mark. Arrow had been gaining ground consistently to round the weather mark in fourth position. Ace, Undine and Movie Star II held their positions a fine sailing duel between Ace and Undine being in order.

Down the wind they came, first one ahead and then the other, until at the finish line Ace got the break to go over one second ahead of Undine. Movie Star II finished third, Windward fourth, and Minx fifth. Tempe III had not done so well, finally managing to finish tenth, Sparkler II in eighth place, and Okla twelfth, must have thought the curtains were for them. Dope looked good, as the four leaders were just about where they should have been, but we shall see that doping an International is much more difficult than the horses. 

Dinner that evening at the Balboa Yacht Club was served by ladies of the local fleet. Visitors were warmly welcomed by the Commodore, daily prizes were presented for the first race, the floor was cleared and the boys danced until morning. 

The Second Race 
Saturday, the day of the second race, dawned foggy, but by noon was as bright and warm as every other day in Southern California during the summer season. The wind was again west, somewhat light at the start, but freshened into a fine sailing breeze. The tension of the first day had eased a bit, chances were taken wholesale and positions changed on every leg. The boats hit the line together with the crash of the gun making it impossible for the I. R. C. to take time. The course was windward and leeward, identical with the course on the first day. Walton Hubbard's Tempe II, the defended, made a beautiful start, going over the line on a port tack near the committee boat, easily crossing the bows of the majority of the fleet, who started on the starboard tack.

Tempe II worked out a commanding lead almost immediately, but the Johnson brothers in Undine were after Tempe like a house afire. At the first mark Tempe II had held her lead well being followed by Undine, Okla, Sparkler II and Minx, closely bunched. On the downhill run Tempe II lost ground steadily until at the mark she was only nine seconds ahead of Undine. Sparkler II almost had an overlap on Undine at the mark, and in going clear of Undine allowed Okla and Budsai II to steal the weather berth. Tempe II held her lead to the weather mark, but Undine had yielded to Budsal II in the freshening breeze, while Jack Wood and his dad in Ara had guessed correctly, taking a tack off shore to round the weather mark close behind Tempe II.

The Robinson brothers in Budsal II followed Ara, with Undine, Sparkler II and Okla not far behind. It looked like Tempe II would win for Hubbard, and Edwards had a reputation on running before the wind, and then, too, the Pacific Ocean was their home. Budsal II was not to be denied, he had been sailing a remarkable race, climbing from seventh to third place in one round and still gaining. He soon caught and passed Ara, and at the line was a few feet ahead of the defender, who finished a good second. Ara finished third. Undine fourth, and Sparkler just nosed out Okla for fifth place. Ace finished eighth, giving Undine a three-point lead. 

The point score was: Undine 30, Ace 27, Ara and Budsal II 26 each, Tempe III, Movie Star and Minx 24 each, Sparkler II 23 and Windward 22. Undine was going well under most able handling, dope was being upheld and Chesapeake Bay loomed as the scene of the next Internationals. The home folks felt blue that night over Windward's tenth place. The Balboa Island Y. C. junior club, the ages of membership rang ing from eight to eighteen years, entertained with a wonderful Spanish Barbecue on the beach. Sunday was an off day, everyone doing as they pleased, although a free for all race was sailed.

The Third Race
The good weather continued, and the I. R. C. sent the fleet around a triangular course leaving all marks to port, the first leg was a beat to weather. Joe Jessop and John Sykes seemed to be hell bent on redemption and in the light breeze waltzed right out into the lead to have things their own way and lead the first round by over a minute. Barton Hirst and George Woodward in Arrow seemed to like the going, rounding the first mark in second position, followed by Tempe, Okla, Sparkler and Movie Star.

Okla had apparently found herself, for Watkins and Okla, using good judgment, carried by Tempe and Arrow on the second leg which was a broad reach. Sparkler and Movie Star closed in on Arrow and Tempe. The third leg was a close reach and Arrow passed Okla once more, a lufting match between Tempe and Sparkler proved unsuccessful, Tempe rounding fourth with Sparkler holding on.

The weather leg on the second round found Windward still holding her lead but now closely followed by Arrow and Okla. Sparkler worked by Tempe to round fourth, and Movie was still in sixth place. On the broad reach Okla again passed Arrow, Sparkler close up, and Movie passed Tempe. Windward rounded leading, but too wide, and Okla who was now only a few seconds behind did a perfect job and shot by Jessop for the lead. Arrow was next, closely followed by Sparkler, who bore away to leeward getting clear under Arrow's lee. The wind had been full of soft spots during the second round and was falling as the leader approached to the finish. Windward fought hard and several times seemed to almost regain her lead, but on nearing the line, in the falling breeze, Okla opened up to win by almost a minute. Windward finished second. followed by Sparkler, who had sailed through Arrow's lee. Arrow finished fourth and Movie Star fifth. 

Undine finished eighth for a total of 40 points, Windward had jumped back into the running and was now tied with Sparkler for second place, with 38 points each. Budsal II finishing seventh was tied with Movie Star II having 37 points each. Tempe had 36, Okla 35, and Minx 33. Undine was still on top having lost a point. Her eighth place gave some of the contestant’s heart and with two more races to sail, it was quite possible for any one of the first eight to win out in the end. Ace had finished seventh but was disqualified on protest by Minx for having forced her to bear away while on the starboard tack at the start, thus eliminating one dangerous contender. 

Another open air dinner was given in the evening on the terrace of the Lido Island Y. C., Commodore Beck being master of ceremonies. After an enjoyable meal and some very good entertainment, the prizes for the day were presented. Guests were then taken to the Newport Harbor Y. C. to dance to their hearts' content. 

The Fourth Race
The windward and leeward course was again chosen, The breeze was moderate dropping and then freshening during the race. Tempe picked a good position at the start and soon worked out a beautiful lead rounding the weather mark well ahead of Arrow. Ace was third followed by Undine, Okla, Sparkler and Windward. Then running free to the leeward mark, Windward went on a "tear", for she proceeded to pass everything in sight, save Tempe, only lacking eleven seconds of being even with her at the mark. Ace held on to third, Okla worked past Undine for fourth, Arrow and Sparkler dropped back to sixth and seventh. The breeze was now falling and before the weather leg was one-third over the leaders were changing positions fast and furiously, the balance of the fleet started pouring in also, and spectators were wondering, "what kind of a race is this."

Jessop took a starboard tack and stood off shore, apparently losing ground, for Sparkler had to give way and go under Windward's stern. Shortly after Windward went about, and while in the middle of the fleet caught a breeze, all his own sailing through the fleet once more to take a well-earned lead and finally winning the race hands down by five minutes over Okla, his nearest competitor. Okla worked out into an easy second place followed by Tempe and Sparkler, who were fighting hard nearly two minutes astern.

First and second places were settled, but Tempe and Sparkler were almost a toss-up. They took their long starboard tack out to the mark with Tempe slightly ahead and to leeward. In the freshening breeze, Sparkler closed in until the yachts were overlapping, and as the mark was approached it was apparent that both had overstood and could have rounded to port instead of starboard as was required. At this point both yachts eased their sheets simultaneously and reached for the mark, the maneuver throwing Tempe slightly ahead, clear water showing between the two hulls for the first time in the last quarter mile.

When the mark was reached a short port tack of about one and one-half boat length was necessary before the rounding was possible. Unfortunately, Tempe did not take in her sheets but continued for an instant reaching and then went about; meanwhile Sparkler, who was not over ten feet astern, close hauled, a collision resulted, but the yachts cleared immediately, no damage being done. Tempe nosed out Sparkler by two seconds at the finish but both yachts filed protests. Tempe was also protested by Budsal and Auriga for an alleged foul during the first round. The I. R. C., after hearing testimony on the Tempe-Sparkler foul, unanimously disqualified Tempe, making it unnecessary to hear the Budsal-Tempe controversy. This gave Sparkler third place, Ace fourth, and Undine fifth. 

Although Tempe's disqualification had spoiled her hopes of repeating, Windward, by virtue of her win, held a two-point lead with a 55-point total. Sparkler and Undine were tied with 53 points each, while Okla had 51 and Budsal 49. Movie Star had only 46 points which practically put her out of the running. Excitement was keen for the series was now to be won by any one of five yachts. Windward was the only Pacific Coast hope left, while for the first time in history two boats, Sparkler and Undine from below the Mason and Dixon line, were strong contenders. Long Island Sound was still in the running with Okla now in tip top form and Budsal, always dangerous. 

That night contestants were taken to the Santa Ana C. C. for a dinner dance and presentation of daily prizes. Speechmaking was omitted for once and although excitement was high, everyone enjoyed a lively party. The following morning on which the last race was scheduled brought hardly any breeze. Both I. R. C. and contestants were thinking of a forced postponement and that was just what happened. The race was started around a triangular course, but after two hours the leader, whoever he was, was not half finished the first round, when the race was called off. 

Last Race
September the sixth was another beautiful California day, and as the hour of the start approached contestants were at the rendezvous nervously sailing to and fro. Did the nerve strain "get" some of them? Possibly it did, for some sportsmen crack under a prolonged strain, while others are spurred to superhuman efforts. The I. R. C. wisely moved the starting line about a mile to the west and signaled for a windward and leeward course. This insured more wind, for it had been consistently observed that the breeze was stronger at the Newport Pier than at the Balboa Pier, and the line was now about midway between them. A serious factor during the series was a strong tide which was always running down the coast but decreasing near the shore. This explained why a boat working up the shore by a long port tack and a short starboard tack, until able to take a long starboard tack for the weather mark, was usually up near the front.

Sometimes the freshening breeze more than made up the difference, for a yacht outside might catch it first and simply fly up to weather well heeled over, while the yachts in shore are in light air. However, it was always out of the question to take a starboard tack at the start and go to sea until the mark could be fetched on the port tack that was suicide. The leaders, in four races, had become well posted on these physical peculiarities. Moving the mark up might make a difference, but the winners say that it did not. 

Okla took the lead at the start by crossing the line near the buoy on a port tack. She was followed by Sparkler and Undine who crossed the line about midway on a port tack. Windward was caught in the jug near the committee boat and finally got away in twelfth place. Budsal came out behind Undine and while Windward was temporarily out, a thrilling battle up the coast was being staged, the breeze being just strong enough for a good race. Okla was the first yacht about, easily crossing Sparkler and then covering.

Sparkler made no attempt to split with Okla, but when Undine tacked Sparkler covered immediately. Budsal and Ace were doing as they pleased. Up the coast they climbed with Undine covering Budsal, Sparkler covering Undine and Okla cover ing Sparkler, a very beautiful sailing duel. Windward had gone too far from short and had lost more ground. Spectators were beginning to realize that if something did not happen Sparkler would come through the winner of the series. Sparkler was the first yacht to start the long starboard grind to the mark. Okla covered immediately and then Budsal and Movie Star followed. Undine and Ace continued for a while and thereby lost several places. Okla, Sparkler, Budsal and Movie rounded in order. Windward rounded fifteenth and was given up for lost, while Undine had rounded ninth. 

The run before the wind for the leeward mark was nip and tuck. Okla retained the lead, while Tempe who had rounded in sixth position rounded second closely followed by Budsal. Sparkler had lost ground and was fourth, closely followed by Movie Star, however. Sparkler and Movie rounded the mark beautifully going on the wind with full headway and practically left Tempe and Budsal standing still. While Tempe and Budsal took their inshore tack, Movie held out and was so near Sparkler that it would have been dangerous for Sparkler to cover. Okla had gone about her business and now seemed to be the winner of both race and series.

Minx had come through and was now second while none could say who was third. Sparkler, on a port tack, met Budsal and Tempe, who was astern and to weather, on a starboard tack, "even stephen" but instead of going under them took the chance of going about to leeward. She was successful for she slowly crawled out from under Budsal's lee and was soon climbing to weather. Tempe and Budsal did the only thing left and split tacks holding the port tack until almost on the New port pier. Minx was still ahead of Sparkler and the old series would be tied up at this rate.

The spectators were up and down, their hearts in their mouths one moment and in their tummies the next. Jubilant, surprised and disappointed; disappointed, surprised and then jubilant. What of the skippers and crews, swearing, fighting, figuring, thinking, guessing? If you have never witnessed an International, you must see one, and if you have seen one, you must get into one, for, "I'll guarantee the thrill of a lifetime." 

Now the gods of the wind were to take a hand in the struggle for the grand ole mug, for presently every yacht in the race fell into the flattest of calms for several minutes. Then a breeze ever so slight came from the north. Okla and Sparkler, always alert, started sheets and started moving, Sparkler passing Minx to trail Okla. This teasing breeze did not last very long, petering out in a few minutes. Then it cracked hard blowing upward of eighteen knots and held steadily for the rest of the day. 

What boat was that way out to sea! Is he a spectator? No, it was Judge Rey Schauer and Ed Fink on Movie Star. The Judge, who had left a sick bed to sail in the last two races, on finding himself down the line and knowing his Pacific Ocean, had stood off shore and only been becalmed momentarily. He won the race in a walkaway by five minutes over Okla, who finished 33 seconds ahead of Sparkler, who finished an easy third. Prentice E. Edrington, the Vice-President of the Class, had on this last day sailed a masterpiece, making his breaks, and using rare judgment.

He seemed to be satisfied to finish second or third, but always fighting to keep a yacht from getting between Sparkler and Okla, which would have precipitated a tie. Okla sailed a remarkable race, under the able handling of J. F. Watkins, assisted by Arthur Knapp, who crewed on Little Bear when she won the championship in 1924, but was not able to place a yacht between Okla and Sparkler.

The Internationals were not won as yet, however, for Jessop had followed the Judge's course somewhat to round the weather mark in fifth position. Ace rounded fourth, but Budsal was right on Jessop's stern. They came down the wind literally flying, Ace, Windward and Budsal. Windward had come from nowhere and if she could finish fifth would be tied with Sparkler. To win she must catch and pass Ace and should Budsal beat her across the line, she would be tied with Okla for second honors. Down the wind they came luffing, blanketing, jibing. Budsal was making it hot for Windward and it was a great race.

As they neared the mark, whistles screamed and spectators could be heard urging Jessop on. Ace slid over the line fourth, with Windward and Budsal bow to bow, but Robinson, that prince of sportsmen, was to spell doom for the hopes of San Diego and send the cup to the Southern Yacht Club at New Orleans, for he nosed out Jessop by approximately eighteen inches. Windward was tied with Okla with 67 points each, making a sail-off for second and third necessary. Movie Star II finished the series fourth with 63 points and Budsal II finished fifth with 62. 

Sparkler II had won by one point having a total of 68 points. Edrington, while not winning a race, had sailed a consistent, heady series, finishing eighth in the first race, fifth in the second race and then taking three straight thirds.