"This year's world Half Ton contest in Trieste, Italy proved a triumph for one Kiwi designer and a disappointment for another. New Zealand's Kiwi/Irishman designer Ron Holland scored his second international Ton win with the production Half Tonner Silver Shamrock, skippered by Irishman Harry Cudmore.

But if Trieste proved a triumph for Holland, it was a disappointment for Auckland designer Paul Whiting, whose Magic Bus was winning the Quarter Ton world round about the time of the Half Ton contest. Light conditions spoilt Whiting's new Half Ton design Candu II's chances of success. The New Zealand entry, skippered by Auckland yachtsman Ian Gibbs, managed only sixth overall.

Paul Whiting's light displacement Candu II was by far the fastest reaching boat of the series - no other boat could even begin to match the New Zealanders on that point of sail.

In fact, at the prize giving, title-winner Harry Cudmore apparently remarked on the potential speed of the New Zealand boat in a breeze, and commented that the light weather series "must have been very frustrating, much like sitting on a rocket but unable to light it."

Candu II also proved fast on the wind over about 10 knots, with good pointing ability and boat speed. In the 5–10 knot wind range she could hold her own with her competitors, but sailed dismally under 5 knots and in the peculiar chop in the area. The light weather, flat running conditions which cropped up in both ocean races, were also not Candu II's forte.

However, Gibbs is obviously happy with the boat's potential as Candu II (designed and built specially for his third attempt at the world Half Ton title) is on the way home and will no doubt be a force to reckon with as Half Ton affairs hot up for the worlds in Australia next year.

One interesting aspect of the pre-contest programme which put paid to three competitor's chances, was a motoring test, where the boats had to motor a measured mile and their rated speed was recorded. Thus, many crews spent a great deal of valuable tuning time on engines.

Ten boats failed the first test, and three eventually were barred from starting the contest. Candu II, with the longest waterline, had to reach the greatest rated speed, and after a week's work on the engine, passed by .2 of a knot.

The Racing

Prevailing calms wreaked havoc with the Italians' scheduled start time of 10am — the earliest any race got under way was 12.15. The light weather was a disappointment to all, especially since good day breezes had prevailed before the contest began.

Race one began with a 10-mile lead followed by a flat run, and positions remained pretty well unchanged throughout. Perception eventually notched the win with Silver Shamrock second and Balanzone third.

Race two got under way at 12.30 in a good 5 kn breeze. Twins led with Candu II fifth at the first mark. The Kiwis made their way to second and at the end of the first triangle, sat on Twins' stern. A boat-for-boat battle ensued for the remainder of the race, with Twins winning out.

The intermediate ocean race was raced over a triangular course from Trieste to a mark off Venice and another off the Yugoslavian coast. The first leg to windward saw light, fluky conditions with a massive 30º wind shift which caught many boats.

Competitors took an average of 24 hours to complete the next leg from Venice to Yugoslavia in dead flat running, very light conditions. Candu II suffered badly and lost a lot of places but a 10 kn reach for the leg home gave her 11th place with at least 10 boats passed on the way. The New Zealanders were 6th overall at this stage.

Race four start time came and went. The breeze stayed away. To fill in the hours waiting, crews were invited to a superb sea-picnic on a fishing boat and served red wine and grilled fish. Finally the race got under way at about 3pm but even then officials had to shorten the course.

The long ocean race got under way in an 8 kn breeze with a lay through to Venice and a reach which turned into a slog across to Yugoslavia. Candu II lay in third place as the fleet rounded the first mark — then the breeze died. In the light flat run back to Venice the New Zealanders were passed by the Holland light weather "specials", Silver and Southern Shamrocks.

And in case the light weather wasn't frustrating enough, a thick fog fell with the darkness, spelling the end for many competitors who spent hours looking for the mark.

The Kiwis spent eight hours and 27 miles hunting, finally rounding the mark, and headed home, making up a great deal of ground on the final 70-mile reach to finish in ninth place."