Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics

Last updated

Contents

Sailing
at the Games of the XIV Olympiad
1948 Sailing symbol.png
Sailing symbol of the 1948 Summer Olympics
Venues Torbay
DatesFirst race: 3 August 1948 (1948-08-03)
Last race: 12 August 1948 (1948-08-12)
Competitors217 from 23 nations
Boats75
  1936
1952  

Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London consisted of a total of five sailing classes (disciplines). For each class, seven races were scheduled from 312 August 1948 Torquay/Torbay, on England's south coast. [1]

The sailing was done on the triangular type Olympic courses. The start was made in the center of a set of 8 numbered marks that were placed in a circle. During the starting procedure, the sequence of the marks was communicated to the sailors. By picking the mark that was most upwind, the start could always be made upwind. This system is, at least in certain German lakes, still in use.

Great Britain's last surviving Gold Medal Champion from the 1948 Summer Olympics was David Bond, who sailed for Great Britain in the Swallow Class.

Venue

As quoted from the official report, "Torquay was, perhaps, an inevitable choice as the venue. It is exposed only to easterly winds, which are rare in summer. Moreover, it is remarkably free from strong tides and currents and other navigational hazards, and thus there is nothing or next to nothing to be gained from the " local knowledge " which is so profitable in difficult waters." [2]

The sailing event a separate opening ceremony which took place in Torquay, due to its distance from London. The opening was made by IOC chairman J. Sigfrid Edström.

A 14 nmi (26 km; 16 mi) course was created for the Dragon and 6 Metre. The Star and Swallow sailed a little more inshore on a 10 nmi (19 km; 12 mi) course, while a 6 nmi (11 km; 6.9 mi) course was set close to the coast for the Firefly.

The closing ceremony was observed by 10,000 spectators. The medals were handed by Sir Ralph Gore, President of the International Yacht Racing Union.

Competition

Overview

ContinentsCountriesClassesBoatsMaleFemaleReserves
423575221037

Continents

Countries

Countries that participated in the Sailing event of the 1948 Olympic Games.
Blue: Water
Gray: Never participated in OG
Dark Gray: Participated in earlier OG
Green: Country participated for the first time
Dark Blue: Country participated also on previous games
Red: Country boycotted the sailing event of the OG 1948 Olympic Sailing Countries.png
Countries that participated in the Sailing event of the 1948 Olympic Games.
Blue: Water
Gray: Never participated in OG
Dark Gray: Participated in earlier OG
Green: Country participated for the first time
Dark Blue: Country participated also on previous games
Red: Country boycotted the sailing event of the OG
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina  (ARG)Flag of Australia.svg  Australia  (AUS)Flag of Austria.svg  Austria  (AUT)
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium  (BEL)Flag of Brazil (1889-1960).svg  Brazil  (BRA)Flag of Canada (1921-1957).svg  Canada  (CAN)
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba  (CUB)Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark  (DEN)Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg  Spain  (ESP)
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland  (FIN)Flag of France.svg  France  (FRA)Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain  (GBR)
Flag of Greece (1828-1978).svg  Greece  (GRE)Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland  (IRL)Flag of Italy.svg  Italy  (ITA)
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands  (NED)Flag of Norway.svg  Norway  (NOR)Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal  (POR)
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  South Africa  (RSA)Flag of Switzerland.svg  Switzerland  (SUI)Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden  (SWE)
Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay  (URU)US flag 48 stars.svg  United States  (USA)

Classes (equipment)

Prior to 1948, sailing had been a gender-neutral sport where male and female competitors competed together. For the 1948 Games, the IOC decided the events should only be open to male sailors. This was the only time this happened until separate male and female events were introduced in some classes in the 1988 Summer Olympics. [3]

ClassTypeEventSailorsTrapezeMainsailJib/GenoaSpinnakerFirst OGOlympics so far
Firefly Dinghy Mars symbol.svg 10++19481
Star Keelboat Mars symbol.svg 20++19323
Swallow (Golondrina) Keelboat Mars symbol.svg 20+++19481
Dragon Keelboat Mars symbol.svg 30+++19481
6 Metre Keelboat Mars symbol.svg 50+++19088

Mars symbol.svg = Male, Venus symbol.svg = Female, Cercle noir 100%25.svg = Open

Medal summary

EventGoldSilverBronze
Firefly insigna.png

1948: Firefly
details

Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark  (DEN)
Paul Elvstrøm
US flag 48 stars.svg  United States  (USA)
Ralph Evans
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands  (NED)
Koos de Jong
NO Class insigna.png

1948: Star
details

US flag 48 stars.svg  United States  (USA)
Hilary Smart
Paul Smart
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba  (CUB)
Carlos de Cárdenas
Carlos de Cárdenas Jr.
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands  (NED)
Adriaan Maas
Edward Stutterheim
Swallow insigna.png

1948: Swallow
details

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain  (GBR)
Stewart Morris
David Bond
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal  (POR)
Duarte de Almeida Bello
Fernando Pinto Coelho Bello
US flag 48 stars.svg  United States  (USA)
Lockwood Pirie
Owen Torrey
Dragon insigna.png

1948: Dragon
details

Flag of Norway.svg  Norway  (NOR)
Thor Thorvaldsen
Haakon Barfod
Sigve Lie
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden  (SWE)
Folke Bohlin
Gösta Brodin
Hugo Johnson
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark  (DEN)
William Berntsen
Klaus Baess
Ole Berntsen
6 Metre insigna.png

1948: 6 Metre
details

US flag 48 stars.svg  United States  (USA)
Herman Whiton
Alfred Loomis
Michael Mooney
James Smith
James Weekes
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina  (ARG)
Enrique Sieburger Sr.
Emilio Homps
Rodolfo Rivademar
Rufino Rodríguez de la Torre
Enrique Sieburger Jr.
Julio Sieburger
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden  (SWE)
Tore Holm
Karl-Robert Ameln
Martin Hindorff
Torsten Lord
Gösta Salén

Medal table

RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1US flag 48 stars.svg  United States  (USA)2114
2Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark  (DEN)1012
3Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain  (GBR)1001
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway  (NOR)1001
5Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden  (SWE)0112
6Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina  (ARG)0101
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba  (CUB)0101
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal  (POR)0101
9Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands  (NED)0022
Totals (9 entries)55515

Remarks

Sailing

Sailors

During the Sailing regattas at the 1948 Summer Olympics, the following people (among others) competed in the various classes:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the 1900 Summer Olympics</span> Sailing at the Olympics

Sailing/Yachting made its first appearance as an Olympic sport at the 1900 Summer Olympics after competitions were cancelled at the 1896 Olympics. With the exception of 1904, sailing was thereafter always a part of the Olympic program. The sailing program in 1900 consisted of a total of eight sailing classes. For six classes, the races were scheduled from 20 – 27 May at the river Seine around Meulan, and several series of three races were held for the largest classes from 1–5 August on the North Atlantic off the coast of Le Havre. Approximately 150 sailors in 64 boats from 6 nations competed, including 1 woman, Hélène de Pourtalès, who won a gold medal in the 1 to 2 ton.

Sailing/Yachting is an Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad. With the exception of the 1904 and the canceled 1916 Summer Olympics, sailing has always been included on the Olympic schedule. The Sailing program of 1908 was open for a total of five sailing classes (disciplines), but actually only four Sailing events were contested. The planned venue of all races, named matches, was Ryde, Isle of Wight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the Summer Olympics</span>

Sailing has been one of the Olympic sports since the Games of the I Olympiad, held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. Despite being scheduled in the first Olympic program, the races were canceled due to severe weather conditions. Apart from the 1904 Summer Olympics, sailing has been present in every edition of the Olympic Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the 1912 Summer Olympics</span> Sailing at the Olympics

Sailing/Yachting is an Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad. With the exception of 1904 and the canceled 1916 Summer Olympics, sailing has always been included on the Olympic schedule. The Sailing program of 1912 consisted of a total of four sailing classes (disciplines). For each class two races were scheduled from 19 July 1912 to 22 July 1912 off the coast of Nynäshamn at the Baltic Sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the 1952 Summer Olympics</span> Sailing at the Olympics

Sailing/Yachting is an Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad. With the exception of 1904 and the canceled 1916 Summer Olympics, sailing has always been included on the Olympic schedule. The Sailing program of the 1952 Summer Olympics consisted of a total of five sailing classes (disciplines). For each class seven races were scheduled from 20 to 28 July 1952 of the coast of Harmaja.

Sailing/Yachting is an Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad (1896 Olympics in Greece. With the exception of 1904 and the canceled 1916 Summer Olympics, sailing has always been included on the Olympic schedule. The Sailing program of 1956 consisted of a total of five sailing classes. For each class seven races were scheduled from 26 November to 5 December 1956 at Port Phillip Bay.

Sailing/Yachting is an Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad. With the exception of 1904 and the canceled 1916 Summer Olympics, sailing has always been included on the Olympic schedule. The Sailing program of 1960 consisted of a total of five sailing classes (disciplines). For each class seven races were scheduled from 29 August 1960 to 7 September 1960 off the coast of Naples at the Gulf of Naples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the 1964 Summer Olympics</span> Sailing at the Olympics

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 the canceled 1916 Summer Olympics, sailing has always been included on the Olympic schedule. The Sailing program of 1964 consisted of a total of five sailing classes. For each class, seven races were scheduled; these took place from 12 to 23 October 1964 off the coast of Enoshima in Sagami Bay. The sailing was done on the triangular type Olympic courses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the 1976 Summer Olympics</span> Sailing at the Olympics

Sailing/Yachting is an Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad. With the exception of 1904 and the canceled 1916 Summer Olympics, sailing has always been included on the Olympic schedule. The sailing program of 1976 consisted of six sailing classes (disciplines). For each class, seven races were scheduled from 19 July 1976 to 27 July 1976 off the coast of Kingston, Ontario, on Lake Ontario. The sailing was done on the triangular-type Olympic courses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the 1932 Summer Olympics</span> Sailing at the Olympics

Sailing/Yachting is an Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad. With the exception of 1904 and the canceled 1916 Summer Olympics, sailing has always been included on the Olympic schedule. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the 1936 Summer Olympics</span> Sailing at the Olympics

Sailing/Yachting is an Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad. With the exception of 1904 and the canceled 1916 Summer Olympics, sailing has always been included on the Olympic schedule. The Sailing program of 1936 consisted of a total of four sailing classes (disciplines). For each class seven races were scheduled from 29 August 1936 to 8 September 1936 at the Firth of Kiel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics – 6 Metre</span> Sailing at the Olympics

The 6 Metre was a sailing event on the Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics program in Torbay. Seven races were scheduled. 64 sailors, on 11 boats, from 11 nations competed.

Enrique Adolfo Sieburger was an Argentinian sailor and Olympic medalist. He was born in Vicente López, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. He competed at the 1948 and 1960 Summer Olympics.

Over time, several scoring systems for Sailing were used during the Summer Olympics. Many of these systems were also used by other regattas in their times. In order to understand how the medals in the Olympics were handed out one must have a look at the scoring system of that specific olympic sailing regatta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics – Dragon</span> Sailing at the Olympics

The Dragon was a sailing event on the Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics program in Torbay. Seven races were scheduled. 47 sailors, on 12 boats, from 12 nations competed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics – Swallow</span> Sailing at the Olympics

The Swallow was a sailing event on the Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics program in Torbay. Seven races were scheduled. 38 sailors, on 14 boats, from 14 nations competed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics – Star</span> Sailing at the Olympics

The Star was a sailing event on the Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics program in Torbay. Seven races were scheduled. 47 sailors, on 17 boats, from 17 nations competed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics – Firefly</span> Sailing at the Olympics

The Firefly was a sailing event on the Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics program in Torbay. Seven races were scheduled. 21 sailors, on 21 boats, from 21 nations competed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailing at the 2020 Summer Olympics</span> Sailing events at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Sailing competitions at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo took place from 25 July to 4 August 2021 at the Enoshima Yacht Harbor in Enoshima. The venue was also used for the 1964 Olympic Games although significantly regenerated, the IOC now encouraging regeneration, cost reductions and sustainability. The RS:X, Laser, Laser Radial, Finn, 470, 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra17 are all returning for 2020; there are no significant changes to the Olympic programme from 2016.

Jean-Jacques Herbulot was a French sailor and competitor in sailing at the Summer Olympics. He was also a noted naval architect and designed many sailboats.

References

  1. "Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics". Olympedia. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  2. 1 2 Organising Committee for the XIV Olympiad London 1948 (1951). The Official Report of the Organising Committee for the XIV Olympiad London 1948 (PDF).{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. Henshall, Dougal (10 August 2018). "70 years ago this week: The story of singlehanded sailing at the London 1948 Olympics". yachtsandyachting.com. Retrieved 22 March 2023.

Further reading

50°27′27″N3°31′49″W / 50.4574°N 3.5303°W / 50.4574; -3.5303