Sailing at the 1932 Summer Olympics

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.

— Xth Olympiade Committee of the Games of Los Angeles, Official Report of the Games of the X Olympiad[1]

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.

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.[1]

1932 Olympic Course Areas

Open street map view of the current map of Los Angeles. Projected are the 1932 Olympic courses of the Snowbird (Red Area) and the Star, 6 Metre and 8 Metre (blue area).

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

Map of Participating Sailing Countries at the 1932 Summer Olympics ● Green = Participating for the first time ● Blue = Participating ● Light Blue = Have previously participated

Austria (AUT)  Canada (CAN)  Spain (ESP)  France (FRA)  Germany (GER)  Great Britain (GBR)  Italy (ITA)  Netherlands (NED)  South Africa (RSA)  Sweden (SWE)  United States (USA)

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

The 1932 Olympics featured for the first time the Star as Olympic discipline. This turned out to be so far the longest run for a sailing discipline in the Olympics. The Star was an Olympic class from 1932 - 2012 with the exception of 1976.

The USOC proposed to discontinue the 12' Dinghy in favor of a small V-bottom Catboat locally known as the Snowbird as the single handed one design class. This proposal was carried by the IYRU and IOC. The locally available Snowbirds were equipped with new masts, sails and rigging.

For medical incidents during the Yachting events a United States Navy boat and a US Coast Guard boat were on duty during the races. This boats were equipped with an inhalator and crew furnished by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Seven local physicians provided voluntary service (in alphabetical order):

• Edward G. Eisen, M.D., Head Physician
• Stanley Boller, M.D.
• J. Park Dougall, M.D.
• K. E. Kretzschmar, M.D.
• G. A. Laubersheimer, M.D.
• Wayland A. Morrison, M.D.
• Ewald Werner, M.D.

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.[1]

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

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