In 1974, Ireland - and particularly Cork - leapt to a new level of international sailing prominence as the fresh combination of the design talents of Ron Holland, the sailmaking skills of Johnny McWilliam, and the boat-building talents of the Bushe family came together in the Crosshaven area to create a focus of ability, energy, innovation and enthusiasm which were to result in many successful craft, leading to the winning by Harold Cudmore of the Half Ton Worlds in 1976 with Silver Apple, designed by Ron Holland with sails by John McWilliam.
This theme was continued by many other achievements. But the story really started with the now-almost-mythical One Tonner Golden Apple in 1974, and Johnny McWilliam has recently unearthed an 8mm cine version of the One Ton Worlds 1974, which has been digitised by his son Jamie with the late Bob Fisher telling the tale of a time when the world was young and all things seemed - and were - possible.
