18ft Skiffs: Kevin Wadham, multi-class sailing star
by Frank Quealey, 12 Nov 22:10 PST
© Kevin Wadham
The era from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s marked an exceptional, perhaps unmatched, phase of racing in the 132-year legacy of 18 footer racing across Australia and New Zealand, showcasing some of the most remarkable competitors and designers in this fiercely competitive class.
The caliber during these fifteen years was so exceptional that multiple World Championship-winning skippers such as Peter Sorensen, Rob Brown, and Trevor Barnabas required between six to nine years (respectively) to attain their inaugural world title.
The level of competition was so fierce that even David Porter (KB), dubbed the ‘King of Sydney Harbour’ in the 1970s, only triumphed in one world title alongside his six national championship victories. He had to contend with being the second-place finisher five times, competing against Australians Bob Holmes, Stephen Kulmar, Iain Murray, and New Zealand’s Terry McDell.
Even the legendary John ‘Woody’ Winning had to bide his time for two decades to secure his first Giltinan World Championship, finishing as a runner-up to Iain Murray and his extraordinary Color 7 team in both 1980 and 1981.
Among other would-be champions who narrowly missed out on the elite 18 footer winners’ roster was Kevin Wadham, who only helmed the Lysaght Colorbond team for three seasons yet brought the previously unbeatable Color 7 crew to the decisive race of the seven-race 1982 World Championship held on Sydney Harbour.
In the subsequent season, his Lysaght Colorbond team finished as runner-up again, this time to Peter Sorensen’s Tia Maria.
Wadham entered the 18s during the 1981-82 season after clinching the 1978-79 Australian 12ft skiff Championship (with Grant Podmore) and the 1980-81 Interdominion Championship alongside Dave Hodgson, showcasing a background that primed him to challenge the elite in the class.
Kevin apprenticed in sail making under Hugh Treharne (Blue Peter Sails), contributing to the creation of numerous 18′ skiff sails, including those for Thomas Cameron, which Hugh guided to victory in 1970.
In 1975, he co-founded Speed Sails with Andrew Buckland and Jamie Wilmot, departing in 1976 to establish his own brand, "Sails by Wadham." He began sailing 12′ skiffs and specialized in crafting sails for the 12’s and VJs, achieving triumph in various state and national Championships with his sails.
In 1979, Kevin collaborated with fellow Interdominion and Australian 12ft skiff champion Michael Coxon to create "Coxon Wadham Sails," where he experienced his very first sail on an 18′ skiff, filling in as the bowman on KB, which Michael was then sailing under that sponsorship.
One year later, Michael transitioned to North Sails, and Kevin joined Hood but left Hood after a year to "focus on designing and producing windsurf sails" as the sport rapidly evolved with short boards and extreme wave sailing gaining traction. "I designed and oversaw the production of specialty wave sails branded Bombora."
After securing the 1980-81 Interdominion Championship, Kevin ventured to the USA with an elite Australian 18 footer team to serve as sheet hand on Lysaght Colorbond, helmed by Pakhtun Shah, intending to sail sheet during the 1981-82 Australian season as an introduction to the 18s.
Kevin recounts, "I was quite fortunate; the plan shifted between July and September, and I became the skipper."
"Jay Harrison, an experienced and skilled 18ft skiff sailor, took on the sheet hand role, while Tom Luedecke, one of Australia’s top windsurfers, served in the bow."
"Significantly, I had a boat designed and constructed by Iain Murray, rigged by Don Buckley, with sails designed by Andrew Buckland. I believe this was the first instance they collaborated on a complete package for someone other than their own Color 7. All these factors combined enabled me to transition dreamily from 12′ skiffs to 18s."
"Naturally, at the beginning of the season, we were nothing special, but by the time the JJ Giltinan Championships arrived, everything began to align."
"Phil Woolf joined us for on-land support during the JJ’s. We had four rigs, and with Woolfie’s assistance, we could rig the boat within 15 minutes. There were days when Color 7 and Colorbond NSW were on their side, leaving the final rig decision to the last minute, with other teams already on the water."
Kevin reminisces, "Our boat was slightly wider than Color 7, and our rigs were a tad taller."
"We performed well in a couple of initial races of the series, then a rumor circulated that Color 7 constructed a taller second rig on the lay day. I’m unclear whether that was true or merely a tactic to throw us off our game."
Wadham’s Lysaght Colorbond NSW team stood in second place, approaching the final race of the 1982 World Championship needing to finish first or second, with three placings between them and Iain Murray’s Color 7 team to claim the title.
As per a newspaper article post-race, "Wadham’s team faced a difficult start, which extinguished any hopes they had." It was added, "The team sailed admirably to recover lost ground, but the leaders enjoyed too significant an advantage."
"The race report stated, ‘The race commenced in a 10-12 knot southerly, with Chesty Bond gaining the best start, yet Color 7 and Mitchell Cotts managed to extricate themselves and began to contest the race amongst themselves.’"
"Color 7 surged ahead as the breeze intensified, yet as they approached the finish, the wind diminished, favoring the lighter conditions that Mitchell Cotts thrived in."
"Mitchell Cotts, under the helm of John Winning, clinched the race by 1m48s ahead of Color 7, with Tia Maria trailing a further 1m14s behind, and Lysaght Colorbond NSW finishing another 36s back in fourth."
"The final standings were Color 7 at 11.7, followed by Lysaght Colorbond NSW at 22.7 and Tia Maria in third at 30.4 points."
Kevin reflects, "It’s amusing how certain things linger with you. After that last race, Iain’s mother approached to congratulate me on my second-place finish but expressed happiness that I didn’t surpass Iain and become the second person to win the championship in their inaugural season — something Iain accomplished six years earlier."
Iain Murray was quoted in a Sydney daily newspaper, indicating that Kevin Wadham was a potential world champion, saying, "He’ll be the one to beat next year." He perceived Sorensen and Winning as his fiercest competitors.
Kevin, reflecting on the subsequent two seasons, mentioned, "In 1982-83, Jay accompanied me again on sheet while Don Buckley, from the Color 7 crew, manned the bow."
"We mistakenly won the Invitation Race for the worlds, and as any sailor knows, that’s the kiss of death. Once again, we finished second overall to Peter Sorensen’s Tia Maria."
Regarding his final season in the 18s, Kevin noted, "In 1983-84, we weren’t fast, and that season is best left unmentioned."
"It was somewhat of a transitional phase as all boats shifted from standard spinnaker poles to retractable bowsprits."
"In retrospect, opting not to acquire a new boat while retrofitting a retractable pole into the prior season’s vessel was a mistake. We also experienced a crew transition with Derek Adams replacing Jay Harrison on sheet. Derek, a successful 12ft skiff skipper, was being introduced as a prospective skipper for Colorbond in the forthcoming season."
To sum up, Kevin states, "There’s a very true saying that nobody remembers who comes second," to which I have added, "except for the actual second-place finisher." I was pleased to narrowly secure second to Color 7 in my debut season, yet I felt disappointment at being the bridesmaid again in the following season."
"I can joke about it now, telling anyone who asks about my 18ft skiff sailing that I’m infamous for not being remembered as the last skipper to finish second to Iain Murray and the first to finish second to Peter Sorensen."
"I look back with fondness at my time sailing both 12ft and 18ft skiffs. They are challenging boats to sail, particularly to sail proficiently. I was fortunate to sail alongside extraordinary crew, and it was always a lot of fun. Occasionally, we performed quite well too."
Kevin was more than just a champion skiff sailor.
In 1977, he was part of Australia’s inaugural team to contest the Windsurfer Worlds, securing the title of best Aussie by finishing third in slalom and fifth in course racing among a fleet exceeding 200 participants.
After relocating to Hong Kong in 1984 to work as head of Research & Development for Gaastra Sails, a windsurf sail manufacturing company, he ceased sailing until returning to Sydney in 1990. Being preoccupied with his windsurfing business and a young son, he had no time for sailing boats.
"It wasn’t until 1997 when I tried sailing a bit with a friend who owned a Farr 40 that sparked my interest in boat sailing again, although yachting felt a bit too tame for me. I contemplated a return to 18s, but once again, my work and family commitments prevented me from making a real commitment."
"So, I purchased a Tasar to sail with my wife Yvonne, who had never sailed before. Tasars have a skiff-like handling but are user-friendly for a husband and wife team and involve minimal maintenance. I was competitive for two hours every Saturday in the summer but didn’t devote much thought or time to it until Yvonne retired about five years ago."
"Again, I reconsidered options, now aiming for single-handed sailing as I was retired and wanted the flexibility to sail whenever I desired. I engaged in kitesurfing and wing foiling, but I sought something more competitive."
"At the time, the original WindSurfer was updated with new designs and materials, so I borrowed one and became obsessed again. It was akin to a Back to the Future moment for me, competing once more on a Windsurfer."
"I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how fiercely competitive I’ve become. Over the past three years, I’ve participated in various interclub and state championships, two Australian Championships, and a World Championship."
"I typically rank in the top third at most regattas, and at the Worlds in Perth last Christmas, I placed 21st out of 64 competitors in my weight category. While I strive to enhance my performance, I’m also quite happy to compete against all ages, knowing no one older than me has ever surpassed me. I take that as a victory."
"I also regard it as a triumph that at 69, I’m still out there enjoying myself."
Next Sunday, the Australian 18 Footers League will host Race 3 of the Club Championship.
Race 5 of the Sixt Spring Championship will be conducted alongside the Club championship, and the club’s spectator ferry will follow the race, departing from Double Bay Public Wharf at 2 PM.
