20+ Ton, Open

The 20+ tons class was decided by one straight race over 40 nautical miles (74 km). There were 11 entrants but only four yachts started. The field of four yachts was quite international, with two British yachts, one American, and one French. The British yachts occupied the first two places. Selwin Calverley’s 153-tonner “Brynhild” took the line honors, but Cecil Quentin’s 96-ton “Cicely” won on time adjustment and was awarded the Coupe international de l’Exposition universelle.

The three top placed yachts came in within three minutes of adjusted time, though their actual arrival spanned more than 50 minutes. American Harry Van Bergen sailed his 102-ton “Formosa” into third place. Also entered was the German Max Guilleaume, who had previously competed in equestrianism, in the four-in-hand event. His yacht “Clara” would have been the largest, at 181 tons.

The Official Report of the Games and contemporary newspaper reports record only the owner, Quentin, but there were around 20 unknown crew aboard, and Quentin regularly used master mariners to captain his yachts. Jesse Cranfield, from the town of Rowhedge, Essex, was Quentin’s regular captain in major competitions for many years before and after the Paris Olympics, although it has not yet been possible to prove he sailed the boat at the Games.