From "The Sailors Edge" by Daniel Foster (1984)

Talking of high-speed sailing machines, it was another year of non-stop entertainment in the 18-footers. Just when you thought there was nothing left to do that could make the 18s more exotic, Andrew Buckland declared the spinnaker pole obsolete. ln its place he designed a massive bowsprit-type extension to carry the kites; it makes the skiffs look like swordfish and creates horrific possibilities when the boats are manoeuvering at close range.

The racing was the closest it had been for many years and culminated in a three-way duel at the world titles on Sydney Harbour.

Finally it was Tia Maria that nudged out Chesty Bond and Bradmill, and for the seventh year in a row Andrew Buckland found himself in the winning crew. l-le also found himself at the centre of proposals to film special l8footer races as part of something that resembles a Formula One circuit. Who better to write the 18-footer story than Andrew Buckland?