RB Sailing: Kenwood Cup 1986

This post features a selection of great photographs by Sharon Green (Ultimate Sailing) that capture some of the action during the 1986 Kenwood Cup held in Hawaii. The 1986 edition of this famous regatta was the first with Kenwood as the new sponsor, with the event becoming the Kenwood Cup Hawaii International Ocean Racing Series, and the Waikiki Yacht Club turned over the helm for managing the event to the newly formed Royal Hawaiian Ocean Racing Club.

Startline action in the 50-footer division, with Australia's Great Expectations just to windward and ahead of US yacht Springbok

A total of 48 yachts entered the regatta, from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Tahiti and the United States. The 1987 America's Cup had reduced the number of available offshore crew and the general downturn in IOR racing contributed to the decreased number of entries. With only two Maxis, the 50-footers in Class B would prove to be the most competitive fleet and included Dennis Conner and his crew from Stars & Stripes aboard the Frers 50 Springbok.

The One Tonners approach a leeward mark

An adjustment to the time allowance system provided a boost to the smaller yachts and the 40 and 43 footers had a field day on the Olympic triangle races off Waikiki, which became a three-way battle between the three New Zealand yachts Equity, Exador and Mad Max. Exador emerged the winner of the Hawaii Silver Jubilee Trophy with the other three tied only four points behind. It was a fitting return for Exador after the disappointment of her dismasting in the 1984 series during the Around the State Race.

Australia's Great Expectations, a Farr 50-footer

The line honours victors for the Molokai Race was of no surprise as the big red Maxi Sorcery easily beat her rival Windward Passage by 12 minutes. However the main contest was among the One Tonners who were all vying for the corrected time win. In the final tally One Tonners took the top four places with Exador leading Mad Max, General Hospital and Sagacious V.

Japanese yacht Rariko (Kanto design rating 34.5ft) flying a blooper, although these were much less popular by 1986

In the Around the State Race, Sorcery and Windward Passage match-raced for 775 miles, with Sorcery winning by just 1 minute 55 seconds. The Japanese 50-footer Zero easily won on corrected time after sticking to the rhumbline course on the long trek from Niihau to South Point.

Blade Runner (first overall in Class B) chases Tomahawk (ex-Margaret Rintoul III)

The top overall yacht and winner of the King Kamehameha Trophy was Crazy Horse who beat Sleeper by two points. The New Zealand team of Equity, Exador and Thunderbird turned in a strong performance to be the top team overall and winners of the Kenwood Cup on its first presentation.