Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Sailing at the 1932 Summer Olympics

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Venues
  
Los Angeles Harbor

Boats
  
23

1 02 !
  
0 03 !

Sailors
  
57 from 11 countries

2 01 !
  
1 02 !

Sailing at the 1932 Summer Olympics

Dates
  
First race: 5 August 1932 (1932-08-05) Last race: 12 August 1932 (1932-08-12)

Sailing/Yachting is an Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad (1896 Olympics in Athens Greece). With the exception of 1904 and possible 1916 sailing was always a part of the Olympic program. The Sailing program of 1932 consisted of a total of four sailing classes (disciplines). For each class races were scheduled from 5–12 August directly off the Los Angeles Harbor on the Pacific Ocean.

Contents

Venue

Source:

Los Angeles Harbor

The Xth Olympiad Yachting events were raced in the Pacific Ocean directly off the Port of Los Angeles, over a course used for the past eight years in local yachting. This course was selected because of its suitability for wind conditions, its freedom from tides and swift currents, and the clearness of its waters, with the added advantage of offering spectators a full view from the Point Fermin headlands. Constant winds were assured as in this locality the trade wind comes up about mid-day, bringing with it a true westerly wind varying from eight to fifteen knots in velocity.

Sea breeze

Due to the predicted Sea breeze in Los Angeles Harbor it was decided to race the Snowbirds in the lighter morning breezes. However, during the mornings there was virtually no wind at all. Therefore some races of the Snowbird were sailed in the afternoon in heavy conditions. Luckily no capsizing took place. It also gave issues for those sailors who were competing not only in the Snowbird but also in one of the other classes.

Course areas

The courses had been well prepared. The marks were laid by the United States Lighthouse Service in the form of large Government buoys, and kelp beds under the lee of Point Fermin were marked by the United States Navy Department as restricted area. Visiting yachts were kept at a safe distance from the racing boats by the US Coast Guard. Tows were arranged by the US Navy to and from Los Angeles Harbor to the race area's. On the Pacific side of the San Pedro Breakwater the Star, 6 Metre and 8 Metre yachts had their races. Those classes had to pass the Angels Gate light in order to reach the course area. The Snowbird stayed inside the breakwater to protect them from the ocean swell.

Competition

Source:

Overview

  • However all events were gender independent it turned out to be a male only event.
  • Countries

  • This time no new countries participated in the Sailing event of this Olympic.
  • Race schedule

    Source:

    Medal summary

    Source:

    Medal table

    Source:

    Sailors in multiple disciplines

    Three sailors attempted to sail in the Snownbird and the Star. This was a challenge since the schedule of the Snowbird was modified due to the light air weather conditions in the mornings of the regattas.

  •  George Colin Ratsey (GBR)
  •  Bob Maas (NED)
  •  Cecil Goodricke (RSA)
  • Sailing

    During the Sailing regattas at the 1932 Summer Olympics among others the following persons were competing in the various classes:

  •  France (FRA), Jacques Lebrun, French boat designer and technical director of the French national association
  •  Netherlands (NED), Bob Maas, Dutch long time Star sailor
  •  United States (USA), United States yachtsman and American industrialist Donald Wills Douglas, Jr. in the 6 Metre
  •  United States (USA), United States yachting legend and inventor of the Swimfin, Owen Churchill in the 8 Metre
  • References

    Sailing at the 1932 Summer Olympics Wikipedia