Maxi Worlds 1987

The third edition of the Maxi Yacht World Championships were held in Newport, USA, in June 1987. These championships began in 1985 with four boats and grew to nine boats across two divisions by the time of the 1987 series. US regulars Kialoa V, Ondine VII, Matador and Boomerang were joined in the maxi group by the Swiss yacht Milene V. The mini-maxi division saw the Italian yacht Il Moro di Venezia and Emeraude of France join the US yachts Obsession and Cannonball.

Matador, Kialoa V (US-13131) and Obsession (US-40704) in tight startline action during the 1987 Maxi World Championships

After five days of racing it was Jim Kilroy's Kialoa V that reigned supreme, making up for a disappointing fourth place in the 1986 event. Kialoa V arrived fresh from a class win in the SORC, the crew had settled into the boat and got everything together and dominated the regatta. Ondine VII showed improvement all round, while Matador and Boomerang were beginning to show their age, with Milene V just not up to the performance of the US maxis.

Matador and Boomerang in a tight tactical situation in the tricky waters of Buzzards Bay, Newport

Il Moro di Venezia surprised many by coming out on top of the mini-maxis, with a mix of regular and borrowed crew. Obsession, although new in 1986, could not break through and had to settle for second place, along with Cannonball.

Ondine VII breaks off on port while Obsession (left) and Boomerang continue on starboard