Page 4. MAINE COASTAL NEWS February 2009
Waterfront News
America's Cup Hall of Fame Honors Biddle; Inducts Longley and Ratsey
BRISTOL, RI - The America’s Cup Hall of America’s Cup event from 1958 to 1987 in 10 rights and their method of challenging the Ratsey’s attendance at the 1895, 1899
Fame, located in Bristol Rhode Island, is season-long episodes from early trials to the defender in an orderly manner. This docu- and 1901 Cup races became more than the
pleased to announce the induction of John final races, during the 12-Metre boat years. ment was significant for three reasons: first, now expected attendance of the challenger’s
Longley and the late Thomas Ratsey at a Excerpts from these films will be featured in it made possible a smooth transition from the sailmaker. On all these occasions he took
black-tie dinner on April 30, 2009. The 16th the Induction Program in New York City on 1988 match to the 1992 match; second, it home significant orders from American
Induction Ceremony, presented by Rolex April 30. ushered in the International America’s Cup yachtsmen who recognized his unique talent.
Watch U.S.A. and hosted at the New York Class (IACC) which replaced the 12-Metre By 1901 many these were lobbying him to
Yacht Club in New York City, will also honor John Longley AM (born July 20, 1945) class; and, finally, it was a prototype for establish a loft in the US which he did within
the late John Biddle for his 2008 induction John Longley is a veteran of five Austra- future protocols. Longley, while serving as Robert Jacob’s City Island boatyard in 1902.
into the Hall of Fame. lian campaigns for the America’s Cup, includ- the watchdog of the Protocol, was the chair What resistance there was to the English
Distinguished Honorary Chairmen of ing four straight Cup Matches, winning the and convenor of the conference of designers invasion was effectively overcome with his
the event are Sir James Hardy of Australia, Cup in 1983. After his career as a 12-Metre who developed the IACC rule. firm’s production of a near perfect mainsail
Bruno Troublé of France and Gary Jobson of Class sailor and team manager, he contrib- In 1984, Longley was made a member of for Cornelius Vanderbilt’s New York 70, Rain-
the United States; America’s Cup Hall of uted to the America’s Cup by participating in the Order of Australia (AM) for his services bow.
Fame President Halsey C. Herreshoff will the development of the America’s Cup Class. to yachting. He is currently serving as the The America’s Cup Hall of Fame was
preside over the ceremony. Tickets are avail- John Longley’s involvement in the 1983 Event Director for the ISAF Sailing World created to honor the challengers, defenders,
able by contacting the America’s Cup Hall of Australia II campaign marked the high point Championships to be held in Fremantle in and legendary personages of the world’s
Fame at 401-253-5000 or by email to of his career as a yachtsman. Longley helped 2011. most distinguished sporting competition.
s.watson@herreshoff.org. Skipper John Bertrand select the crew for The present prototype Hall of Fame is located
Australia II; he choreographed the team’s Thomas W. Ratsey (1851-1935) in an historic building on the grounds of the
John Biddle (1936 - 2008) actions for tacking, jibing and other maneu- Thomas Ratsey’s career spans the clas- former Herreshoff Manufacturing Company
Spanning more than 40 years as the vers via detailed step-by-step instructions; sic era of the America’s Cup. His entry into in Bristol, Rhode Island, where yachts were
foremost yachting cinematographer-lec- and served in the crew as a grinder. the family business at 15 heralded one of the constructed for eight consecutive America’s
turer, John Biddle sailed with Ted Turner, In addition to his contributions on the most important contributions to America’s Cup defenses between 1893 and 1934. The
Dennis Conner, Ted Hood and dozens of water, Longley served as Australia II’s Cup sailmaking made by a single individual. Herreshoff Marine Museum, situated on this
other skippers on the U.S. east coast, Great Project Manager, managing the campaign’s He was directly involved in seven challenges historic site, operates the America’s Cup Hall
Lakes, and west coast. He raced to Bermuda day-to-day operations from January 1981 and the firm he controlled supplied sails for 10 of Fame.
11 times, was aboard the winning yacht to until Executive Director Warren Jones took challengers and four defenders during his Commencing with the first induction
Halifax in 1957, cruised among the icebergs over in the summer of 1983, to allow Longley lifetime. ceremony in 1993, 69 legends of the Cup have
off the coasts of Labrador and Greenland, to focus on racing the boat. While manager, At first, Ratsey’s firm was in the shadow been selected for membership in the Hall of
sailed the SORC several times, and crewed Longley was responsible, among other of the Lapthorn loft, but such was his promise Fame. Candidates eligible for consideration
aboard square-riggers in the North Sea. things, for coordinating the building of Aus- that the latter initiated an 1882 merger to form include skippers, afterguard, crew, design-
Biddle pursued a life of sailing, travel and tralia II and the construction of her keel. He the long-lived firm of Ratsey & Lapthorn. ers, builders, organizers, syndicate leaders,
adventure, while at the same time making a leveraged his experience in the grinder pit and Tom Ratsey was then personally responsible managers, supporters, chroniclers, race man-
living as a film-lecturer. Lean and fast moving, foredeck to co-design the boat’s deck layout for the sails of every challenger until Sham- agers, and other individuals of merit. Each
he was proficient at all things nautical includ- with yacht designer Ben Lexcen. rock IV after his first involvement crewing on nominee is judged on the basis of outstand-
ing one-design racing and offshore cruising At age 41, Longley retired from Cup Livonia at age 20. His continuous involve- ing ability, international recognition, charac-
and racing. He was thus able to combine his sailing after completing one final stint as ment with the Cup began with the Thistle ter, performance, and contributions to the
love for the sea and knowledge of sailing with manager and grinder for Australia IV in the challenge of 1887 when his close friend G. L. America’s Cup. The 22 members of the Hall of
a talent for film-making, resulting in 40 shows 1986 Cup defense trials in Australia. But his Watson involved him in his designs at an Fame Selection Committee bring a wealth of
in 40 years, often highlighting the America’s contributions to the Cup did not end there. early stage; his presence in New York during knowledge to the selection process. This
Cup. Following the contentious 1988 Match, that challenge laid the foundations of many illustrious international group is composed
John Biddle’s 40-year film archives are Longley co-authored the “San Diego Proto- lifelong friendships and Ratsey &
capped by comprehensive coverage of each col”, which established the challengers’ Lapthorn’s US expansion.
Continued on Page 16.
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