Admiral's Cup 1979 - the film

A film of the 1979 Admiral's Cup has recently surfaced on YouTube - it provides excellent coverage of this event that was contested by 19 teams, and features a mix of onboard, aerial and close-up footage.  

For more on the 1979 edition of the Admiral's Cup readers of this blog might also enjoy the following articles:

* Photos from the first race (by Sharon Green)

* Photos from the second race (by Sharon Green) 

* A feature on Jonathan Eastland's photos of the regatta here and more of his photographs here and of the Hong Kong yacht Vanguard during the second inshore race

* Articles on  Big Shadow, Eclipse, Imp, Police Car and Red Rock IV

* A feature on the Italian team for 1979 

* A video about the tragic storm-afflicted 1979 Fastnet Race 

The videos below are from Cowes Week 1979, held the week prior to the Admiral's Cup:

Kialoa IV (Holland Maxi)

This post is a tribute to the late Jim Kilroy (1922-2016), who campaigned, with great distinction, a series of yachts named Kialoa from 1957 to 1989. This article features Kialoa IV, the replacement for his famous Sparkman & Stephens-designed ketch Kialoa III.

Kialoa IV was the first of a new breed of maxi-raters, just over 80ft long, and was designed by Ron Holland in 1979 and built using a composite sandwich-laminated hull and deck with aluminium reinforcing. The latter being in the shape of a space-frame chassis incorporated into the hull to take keel and rig loads. Kialoa IV was built by Holland's brother-in-law Gary Carlin at his Kiwi Yachts yard in Florida, which had also built the famous Imp which pioneered the space-frame concept. The composite laminate was influenced by studies carried out by both Kiwi Yachts and Dupont's research department in Wilmington. Holland noted at the time that "While all-up hull weight advantages were not a primary consideration, the tests showed lighter ends and deck were possible compared to Kialoa III".

Kialoa IV in early days, possibly during the 1981 SORC

Holland described the design philosophy at the time as incorporating aspects from his successful level rating and Admiral's Cup designs that had not yet been utilised at the Maxi scale. "Hull shape is as influenced by the IOR measurement procedure as my smaller designs. Keel and rudder designs are treated in a similar way. Choice of rated length, displacement and sail are the primary starting point for my IOR designs, attempted to hold proven relationships although there are aspects of the IOR rule that dis-proportionately penalises the larger yachts due to necessary low displacement length ratios and associated sail areas. Scaling effect needs to be handled carefully but decisions on this, and the earlier mentioned points relating to Kialoa's first series success speak for themselves".

Kialoa IV during the 1981 SORC (photo Seahorse)

Kialoa IV was launched in November 1980 and Kilroy immediately began a working-up programme for the new boat which involved her trialing against her predecessor, Kialoa III, which would later be converted for cruising. This was a unique opportunity, where use a pace boat had previously proven effective with Admiral's Cup size yachts (such as Big Apple and Marionette in 1977), but this was the first time that this had been done with ocean racing yachts at this scale.

Kialoa IV seen here with a full complement in Cowes in 1981 (photo Phil Uhl)

Kialoa IV powers upwind - 1981 (photo Hood sails)

Initial testing showed the new yacht had an advantage in light and medium conditions in the smooth waters of Tampa Bay. As the design philosophy had pushed towards speed potential in medium conditions, with the emphasis towards seeking an advantage over Kialoa III downwind, the early results were seen as encouraging. When the two yachts were paced against each other in fresher conditions and bigger seas, the speed difference was not marked to windward, with the new yacht showing slightly more heel angle and helm sensitivity, but downwind speed was as expected.

The bigger they are... (photo Colin Jarman/Seahorse, above, and Yachting, below)

Based on early testing results, as well as the fact that the boat still had approximately one foot of rating to play with (within the 70.0ft limit for the Maxi class), it was decided to optimise the speed/rating relationship with a reduction in displacement and an increase in stability. This was made easier through the built-in flexibility within the yacht, with stability-tuning cavities in the keel, and internal ballast being encased in the aluminium sub-structure rather than being glassed in. These changes saw the final rating settle at 69.5ft for the 1981 SORC and Maxi Boat Series.

Kialoa IV and Condor during the California Cup match race series in 1982, which was won by Condor (photo Sobstad sails)

The extensive tuning process had a significant effect on the early performance of Kialoa IV; she went straight into the fray and won races at the 1981 SORC, although there was something erratic about her earliest performances which was to be expected for a boat still at early stages in its development. Initially, and in certain narrow ranges of conditions, both Windward Passage and the Frers-designed Bumblebee IV showed similar speed to the new Kialoa. But Kialoa IV showed her strength over a wider wind range and looked dominant. Although the newest boat, she seemed relatively conservative, and was certainly the heaviest in terms of rated displacement (nearly 84,000lbs, against 70,600 for Bumblebee IV - although for that, Bumblebee carried a near 1% rating penalty).

Kialoa IV in fresh running conditions

Kialoa IV (photo Facebook)

Kialoa IV visible here through Condor's spinnaker, and trailing Flyer during the 1980-81 Seahorse Maxi Series (photo Phil Uhl | Facebook)

However, by mid-season she was more than good enough to win the 1980-81 Seahorse Maxi Series (for yachts rating between 50 and 70ft), and included Ceramco NZ which used the event as a build-up for the Whitbread Round the World Race later that year).  For the most part, Kialoa IV enjoyed close racing with her near sistership, the new Condor, but dominated the series with line placings of 2/1/1/1, and third on handicap (4/1/3/6). During this season, and before the Sardinia Maxi Series (which she won), her main boom (and mainsail) was lengthened by 3ft. This increased her rating closer to the 70.0ft IOR Maxi limit.

Kialoa IV romps off the startline to leeward and ahead of Windward Passage and Nirvana, and Condor to leeward (left) during a SORC regatta (photo Phil Uhl | Facebook)

Kialoa IV about to cross tacks with Condor (centre) during the 1982 Clipper Cup, with Windward Passage not far behind (right) (photo John Malitte/Sea Spray)

Kialoa IV went on to compete in many international series and regattas, including the 1982 SORC and the Clipper Cup, in the latter she performed strongly finishing as fourth yacht overall (just behind Condor) and helping the US team to an overall victory in the 1982 edition (alongside Bullfrog and Great Fun).

Kialoa IV to leeward and behind Condor during the 1983 SORC (photo Larry Moran)

Kialoa IV won Class A in the 1983 SORC against some new competition, including the new Peterson-designed Midnight Sun and the Pedrick-designed Nirvana, with a combination of good speed and tactics and few gear failures. All the Maxi fleet were well down in the overall standings however, with Kialoa IV managing just 38th within the whole fleet. 

Kialoa IV during the 1983 SORC (photo Larry Moran)

It was a similar situation in the 1984 SORC, except this time Kialoa IV had to settle for second in Class A behind the Soverel 55-footer The Shadow, and was 47th in the overall fleet standings.

Kialoa IV (photo Facebook)

Kialoa IV to leeward of Windward Passage in light airs during the 1983 SORC (photo Larry Moran)

Kialoa IV on a busy startline during the 1983 SORC with Windward Passage and Nirvana (photo Phil Uhl)

Kialoa IV finished as second yacht on individual points in the 1984 Clipper Cup (with placings of 5/13/3/3/14), behind the new Frers-designed Boomerang, but ahead of Sorcery, Nirvana and Condor. 

Kialoa IV in hard running conditions during the 1984 SORC, with Huaso (a Frers 81-footer) just behind (photo Guy Gurney)

Kialoa IV during the 1984 Clipper Cup - photo above by Sharon Green | Ultimate Sailing), and below by Phil Uhl

Kialoa IV was often at the forefront of sail development and pioneered the introduction of nascent Kevlar technology at the Maxi scale. Increasing quantities of Kevlar were used to support maximum allowable roach in the mainsail. Dacron was retained in lower sections, presumably for ease of handling, given that cloth weights for both materials were in excess of 8oz.

Kialoa IV with a new Kevlar "crescent cut" no.3 headsail - an article at the time by Hood sailmakers notes that "the leech hollow is at absolute minimum to ensure that the foretriangle is full. The no.3 sheets at 8.25 deg and allows full main to be carried at 30 knots apparent wind with the mainsheet traveller two-thirds down the track". Condor (below) opted for the new Norths vertical cut technology (photos William Payne/Seahorse)

The design was a successful one for Holland, and along with sistership Condor, she generated commissions for Round-the-World derivatives Lion New Zealand and Drum for the 1985-86 Whitbread, and the 'inshore' Maxi Sassy, although none of these boats made much an impression on the race course, being shorter than Kialoa and Condor, and heavy for their length. Lion New Zealand did, however, finish second in the 1985-86 Whitbread Round the World Race, with greater structural integrity than some of her rivals.

Kialoa IV - date and regatta unknown (photo Facebook)

Kialoa IV during the 1985 SORC negotiates some new and old bridge infrastructure (photo 'cadee' Sailing Anarchy Forums) 

Kialoa IV's reign at the top of the Maxi class was relatively short however, and perhaps not long after finishing second to Boomerang in the 1985 SORC the decision was made in 1985 for the replacement maxi, the new Frers-designed Kialoa V. Kialoa IV went on to compete in the 1987 Antigua Race Series, before Kialoa V was commissioned that same year.

Kialoa IV in more recent times, seen here in La Rochelle, France (photo Sail-World)

I was pleased to receive a copy of a fantastic painting of Kialoa IV by marine artist John David Taylor (entitled "Rocket Ship", below). John David was part of the Southern California boating industry throughout the seventies and eighties and had the opportunity to watch Kialoa IV in action during the California Cup match races. He recalls that Kialoa IV was state of the art at that time and left a lasting impression which lead him to become a marine artist (ASMA member). Remarkably, this was his first painting, and was accepted into the West Coast ASMA show (May/June 2017) at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum.

More details (and photos) about Kialoa IV can be seen on the "Kialoa US-1: Dare to Win" website here, and a record of all her race results are here.

A Sail-World obituary for Jim Kilroy is here. 

Article updated January 2025

The Legend of Imp

A new video has been released by William Barton featuring a collection of great photos of Imp, the Holland 40 footer that scored a number of memorable firsts in offshore racing in 1977 - the SORC, Admiral's Cup and Big Boat Series. 



Barton has written a book called "The Legend of Imp", and the link to buy the book can be found at the end of an earlier article about Imp on this site here.

Kiwi 24 (Holland Quarter Tonner)

The following photographs are of the Holland designed "Kiwi 24" Fat Cat. The Kiwi 24 was a stock Quarter Ton design. This sequence of photos were taken by Tad Belknap during a local race on Lake Ray Hubbard (Dallas, Texas) while he and Gary Carlin were evaluating a stern extension on a near sistership Business Machine. Belknap and Carlin had started Kiwi Boats, and had developed the use of space-frame construction, firstly in Business Machine and later on the famous Holland 40 Imp.

Fat Cat begins a roll to windward (photo courtesy Tad Belknap)

Above and below, Fat Cat rolls further to windward and crash gybes (photos courtesy Tad Belknap)

The stern extension to Business Machine was judged to be a success (photo at right on the same day), and she went on to finish second in the 1976 Quarter Ton Cup, held in Corpus Christi (won by the Whiting design Magic Bus). The photos below show Business Machine under construction (and the fitting of the internal space frame), the new stern extension and while sailing in the 1976 Quarter Ton Cup.

Business Machine under construction (photo courtesy Tad Belknap)

Swuzzlebubble III (Holland 40)

Swuzzlebubble III was a 40ft 6" Ron Holland design (a development of Holland's earlier Regardless hull), the second of Ian Gibbs' yachts to this name (Swuzzlebubble became Swuzzlebubble II after her extensive modifications for the 1979 Half Ton Cup). Swuzzlebubble III was a very professional campaign, and the one that gave Gibbs his greatest success in international offshore racing. The yacht was rated at 30.1ft IOR for the 1981 NZ Admirals Cup trials series, close to the minimum allowed for the Admirals Cup itself (which was raced at the time in three boat teams between 30.0 and 40.0ft IOR).

Swuzzlebubble III on launching day at Westhaven, Auckland, December 1980 (Gibbs Family Collection)

Interior photo of galley area (Gibbs Family Collection)

The yacht was built by Cooksons, making use of a form of construction that Holland had pioneered with his Two Tonner Imp, with a light composite hull and a stainless steel and aluminium space frame that was engineered to take keel and rig loads. This was combined with a sparse but ergonomically efficient interior designed by Brett de Thier for a very high tech appearance for the time. Her displacement of 13,500lbs incorporated 3,800lbs of ballast in the keel, and a further 3,000lbs in the hull floor.

The Swuzzlebubble III campaign got off to a shaky start, however, when her US-built Stearn mast was delayed by a week and failed to arrive in time for launching day. It later broke during windy conditions off Channel Island (off the Coromandel Peninsula) during the preliminary observation trials. A new section had to be flown in from the US which was sleeved locally. The mast was a bendy fractional set up, with triple in-line spreaders. Swuzzlebubble III sailed with a North wardrobe, including the new-style vertical cut headsails developed by Tom Schnackenburg.

Downwind during the 1981 NZ trials

The racing in the trials series was very close, with three instances of dead heats on corrected times and a margin of only two seconds between first and second on corrected time after the 40-hour, 300-mile, final race. Gibbs was involved in a plane crash the day before the trials proper, and this may have influenced the yachts' fourth placing in the first race. However, Gibbs was well supported by a top crew that included Andy Ball and Rick Dodson, and they went on to win the second race, and placed third in the third race. From there on, the regatta was all Swuzzlebubble III, winning the final three races to easily qualify in the New Zealand team, alongside Epiglass New Zealand (a Holland 40 sistership, renamed as Wee Willie Winkie for the Admirals Cup to avoid Rule 26 sponsorship issues) and Marac, an S&S 46 (re-named Inca for the same reason). 

Swuzzlebubble III during the 1981 Admiral's Cup trials

 NZ Admirals Cup trials 1981 - Swuzzlebubble III, Spritzer and Feltex Roperunner (Gibbs Family Collection)

Swuzzlebubble III went on to have an excellent series in the 1981 Admirals Cup, finishing with a flourish in the light air Fastnet Race finale to leap from seventh place to first overall on 315 points, just one point ahead of the English yacht, Peter de Savary's Victory of Burnham. This was, however, the only bright spot of an otherwise disappointing New Zealand team performance, with Wee Willie Winkie finishing in 25th place, and Inca even further back in 42nd.

Swuzzlebubble III was sold overseas and as of 2012 was for sale in Italy (refer photos below). At that time she appeared to be in very good condition (although less so by 2020), and had been fitted with a more cruising-oriented interior. 

Swuzzlebubble III slides downwind during one of the offshore races in the 1981 New Zealand Admiral's Cup trials (photo P Montgomery/Sail-world)

Swuzzlebubble III leads Monique (middle) and Epiglass NZ (left) in fresh downwind conditions during the New Zealand Admiral's Cup trials (photo NZ Yachting/Sail-world)

Swuzzlebubble III in a strong position ahead of a pack of bigger boats during the 1981 Admiral's Cup

Swuzzlebubble III as seen for sale in 2012



As seen again for sale in 2020 (photo Facebook)