Guy Gurney
*
Sep 1, 2009, 12:25 PM
Post #1 of 1
(3552 views)
Shortcut
|
|
Star Worlds during the outbreak of World War II
|
Log-In to Post/Reply
|
|
With all the current news about the 70th anniversary of the invasion of Poland and the outbreak of World War II (on Sept 1, 1939), I was wondering if Scuttlebutt readers realised that the Star World Championship was in progress that same week in 1939, in Kiel, Germany.
Here, from the Star Log (yearbook) of 1940, are the closing paragraphs of a report by Elizabeth Miller on the 1939 Star Worlds. The championship was won by Walther Von Hutschler (winner in 1938 also), who a few years previously had introduced the modern concept of bendy masts to the world. The great Italian sailor Augusto Straulino was second. 21 Stars from seven nations competed.
All best, Guy Gurney
"Thursday night there was no entertainment, as this had been chosen for rest day. The disquiet of war fell upon us, and we sat around the Olympiaheim in small groups, swapping bits of information, indicative of coming trouble. England, Italy and America sat drinking sherry, waiting for occasional bulletins brought to us by Naval Officers, who left no stone unturned to aid us in our information and following plans. Many were the conversations with Consulates and high officials, all repeated to friends, equally anxious to know the latest developments. For once, the usual September conversation changed from "roaches," keels, and "Point A's" to train times, steamships and money, leaving us all stunned that the usual gay wind-up of the Championship series could so quickly turn into sober channels.
"The final reception at the Yacht Club von Deutschland was a buffet supper and dance on Friday night. This was a sterling exhibition of startling determination on the part of the International Star Class to leave with our hosts a lasting impression of gratitude for their hospitality. It was also the hour of realization that we are, and always will be, an association of people who admit no prejudices and who stay until dark hours strike for the sake of sportsmanship. Outside communications had been cut off, cables were not accepted, telephone service was practically impossible, but the Star Class stayed to finish out the World Championship Series.
"That evening was one we hope will never have to be repeated under so great a circumstance. It was filled with poignancy, sadness, and cheerfulness, marked by men standing under great flags of many nations, surrounded by silver trophies, dress uniforms, and dancing, when even the call to arms could not interrupt the closing of the World's Championship. Several goodbyes had been said earlier by men who stepped out of Starboats into battleships, awaiting orders in Kiel Harbor. Many conversations were interrupted by quiet summons, and departures. Toasts were drunk with solemn eyes in spite of the gaiety, and friends parted with unspoken thoughts in their hearts, easier left unsaid. One solemn wish, that we may all meet again next year, was often repeated and hoped. With the last roll of drums, when the lights closed down of the Yacht Club von Deutschland, came the haunting thought that we are a part of something too strong for politics and too big for wars. We have now spread again over the world, but still in Kiel Harbor lie twenty Starboats from eight nations, which now have a sterling significance--they fly the same flag, the world over, of international sportsmanship.
"Saturday morning found every one leaving hurriedly, but our hosts, who were forced to remain, were not too busy with their country's affairs, even at the last hour, to lend every assistance to us in parting. "Pimm" von Hutschler, who is not German, as is generally thought, but a Brazilian, also left Germany, and helped several of the Americans to obtain steamship passage from Norway, through a friend of his in Copenhagen. A Naval Attache in uniform was sent with the French contestants to the border, should they have trouble in leaving the country. In spite of the unwelcome advent of war, those of us who went to Kiel must openly admit that it was one of the finest racing series that the Star Class has ever known, and no other country could have possibly done more, both in time of peace and time of war, for their international guests, than Germany did in Kiel."
|
SCUTTLEBUTT
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG IN