A former
editor of the magazine
Sailing World, he is best known for designing the
Laser sailboat in
1969, with
simplicity and
performance in mind.
Zippy.
Kirby also designed two America’s Cup boats, Canada I and II, the Apollo, Sonar, San Juan 24, Kirby 25, and 30, and International 14s (in which he holds two world titles). He represented Canada in the Olympics three times.