The victory of the "Manzanita" in Helsinki in 1977, marked a before and a later for the Spanish candle

At the end of 1976, an enthusiastic sailing group led by Enrique Vilariño, commissioned the great Ron Holland, at the top of his international career in those years, a design that marks style within the every more popular and competitive class of "Quarter Ton" (IOR ships of about 8 meters length with a rating level class of 18.5). Holland (who in those years was the world's naval architect number one in "pure bleeding" designs) had very little time without compreming, as it was finalizing its designs for the Admiral's Cup. He resisted Vilariño and his group, but eventually he gave in and agreed to face the new quarter ton project.

Enrique Vilariño, the architect of the "Manzanita" project, received from the Naval League the Medal of the Knight of the Anchor in its silver category, for his merits as an entrepreneur of the naval sector, in which he has continued the family tradition as shipowner and consignee of ships in La Coruña, as well as for making possible in 1976- 1977 the great project "Manzanita."

In time more than just, the mold was made in England and arrived in Spain in May 1977. The first "Mazanita" in the series was built in less than a month, and it was "carrying the Andersen Rocket," which went to La Coruña to try the candles,..., the success was such that on the way it was decided to travel to Finland to participate in the Quarter Ton Cup without a short time. The works were on the sidelines and on July 11 the ship was loaded to Helsinki: a trip of more than 2,000 Km., the final section of the transport was carried out on the super- ferry "Finnjet" that reached the friolera at that time of 32 knots!.

It surprised everyone, first that Enrique Vilariño convinced Ron Holland. After I got a crew together, dream. And finally, if I could get there in time, the fourth thing about winning was science fiction.

If Ib Andersen had been convinced by Henry in La Coruña, another one who got involved was the master Rodney Pattisson who arrived in Helsinki from England accompanied by his trusted man F.D.Peter, who served as a ground crew. On the other hand, Ramón Balcels and his wife Ana, as well as Machaco de Llano, did it from Galicia. In the absence of two days only, Ib arrived with the new candles,... and to try the "Manzanita" that surprised everyone for its speed.

In the World Cup a fantastic atmosphere, with 53 ships in competition and 12 different countries, including Japan, Argentina and the US, amen from many of Europe. The favorites a priori, "Fun" (USA), "Butterfly" (Sweden) and "Z" (Finland),..., the Spanish were the candidates for surprise. The Spanish ship's debut the dream: they became third, despite going for seconds the whole race. Being the partial victory for the American "Fun" and the second for "Charli Papa Due" Italian.

The second test was an Olympic triangle, and the machada of the Herculine ship arrived, as it managed to beat the "Charli Papa Due" and the French "Beret de Paulette,"... the Americans did not believe it. The middle race was the third, the fight was terrible between the "Mazanita" and a ship that looked more like a half ton than a "quarter," the "Butterfly" designed by Peter Norlin (the designer of the lehgendars Scampi). The race was after more than 29 hours of race,... the "Manzanita" won, crossing the arrival just 40 meters ahead of his rival.

The Spanish press followed with interest the feat of the "Manzanita." It is worth the example of ABC and the Sports World.

With "Manzanita" as leader, he started the fourth manga which was also an Olympic tour. Rodney Pattison had in between eyebrows and eyebrows the "Butterfly" and ordered him to mark the whole race, which caused only the third position to be achieved, behind "Charlie Papa Due" and "Beret de Paulette," the world title was in danger in the absence of a race: the long one with its 200 miles, in which he was waiting for the Spaniards a bad news: the fall of Ib Andersen who was going to England to participate in the Admiral's Cup, in which he had the signed commitment. It is replaced by Ron Holland's right hand: Buch.

The little half-way wind causes the first abandonment, when "Manzanita" is in the middle of the fleet,... but little begins to recover when the wind jumps to reach the penultimate beacon of the tour in 8th place,..., continues to recover positions for a lack of 10 miles to occupy 6th place. In the end it is 4th on arrival, behind "Fun," "Charli Papa Due" and the Dutch "Balletan." The Spanish expedition is received in port to the cries of Viva España!, in the presence of the Ambassador of Spain in Finland.

It was the largest event in the Spanish heavy candle until that time. The first title of world-wide cruises was coming to our country.

Curiosities of the Quarter Ton Cup 1977:

1- "Fun" from the USA arrived at Helsinki airport on board a 747 Jumbo chartered for this purpose.
2. Every time someone needed to get close to the Club he had to pay 60 pesetas, because he was on an island. The crew armed her with this senseless rate.
3 There was not a day of sun. All rain.
- It's very expensive. It was better to imagine that it was paid in pesetas instead of crowns: beer 100 pesetas, cold snack 200. In Spain in 1977 a beer cost 20 pesetas and a 50 at most,...
5. The Organization of another world. Fabulous at sea if a failure.
6. The medium and long races entered Soviet waters. It was the first time that Russia allowed something like this. On these Russian shores was Tallín, who will receive the Olympics in 1980.
7- Many famous designs in the World Cup: Holland, Norlin, Peterson, Elvstron, Dufour, Van de Stad,...
8- 40% of the participating ships were of folding orza and 60% of rigging 7 / 8.
9- "Manzanita" (fiberglass helmet, Hensa mast, Andersen Candles), the "Beter de Paulette" (cold-molded wood helmet, Z-Spar, Cheret Candles), "Butterfly" (fiberglass with Airex, Selden and Horizon Candles).
10-The heroes of the "Manzanita": Ramón Balcels, Machaco de Llano, Rodney Pattison and Ib Andersen who was replaced by Butch Smith. El Jefazo, Enrique Vilariño.

Text: Manuel Pedro Seoane
Material: Vilariño Family Archive