Historical

By Richard Crockett I have extensive archives on the birth of ‘Voortrekker’ as I have archive material from what ultimately became SAORT (the South African Ocean Racing Trust) and also Bruce Dalling’s archives. I found the debate amongst members of the committee to be very interesting as some wanted the yacht shipped to the start so as not to compromise it in any way, while others felt an extended sea trial, by sailing it to the start, could only be …

By Richard Crockett Recently I shared a humorous piece from John Vigor which struck a chord, so here’s another, this time about the concours d’elegance, crews union and more. Vigor was a ‘Diana K’ crewman on the 1971 Rio Race. This is what he wrote: “Well, shiver me timbers and lay me low with a marline spike! Trample me in the bilges and scrub me with holystone! So they’re going to have a little old concorde of elegance – or …

By Richard Crockett The very first Cape to Rio race in 1971 attracted a broad spectrum of yachtie from the rich and famous to the humble home builder. On this day in 1970, 55 years ago, the Daily News newspaper ran the above provocative headline, and opened the report as follows: “Robin Knox-Johnston and Leslie Williams are to ocean racing what Bob Hope and Bing Crosby are to films – an unlikely couple who make an unbeatable combination. “When they …

by Richard Crockett The Flying Fifteen Nationals are being sailed on the Vaal Dam this weekend and because of the surge of interest in the class with old boats being restored, my old sailing mate Campbell Alexander suggested it was time I dug something out from my archives on the Class. So here goes, a feature in Yachtsman RSA magazine from January 1979, and a cover pic to boot! No feature on this class would be complete without mention of …

by Richard Crockett Now here’s a light-hearted read by John Vigor who penned a humorous and sometimes useful daily column in the Mercury newspaper. He was a yachtie, a very good Mirror sailor, who graduated to keelboats and crewed for Dave Cox aboard ‘Diana K’ in the 1971 Cape to Rio Race. He ultimately bought a Morgan 31, and together with his family sailed it to the USA where they settled. He became a prolific author writing many books on …

By Richard Crockett Today’s newspaper feature was written by Michel Fascio, the Daily News representative who sailed from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town aboard the yacht ‘Stormy’ in preparation for the January 1971 Cape to Rio Race. Below are just three paragraphs from a lengthy feature: “From out to sea, Cape Town at night is an incredibly beautiful sight – countless lights nestling below the dark mass of Table Mountain. It is a sight that promises a safe haven …

by Richard Crockett The very first Rio Race, way back in 1971, certainly galvanised those folk with an affinity for the ocean into getting a yacht for the race. And a few landlubbers too. There was lots of talk, lots of hope and a few dashed dreams along the way, but this race was certainly a catalyst in making our sport what it is today. 55 years ago today ‘Mercury’ was launched in Durban for the race. Below is how …

By Richard Crockett It seemed like just yesterday that Padda Kuttel and his crew were racing around the world in ‘Xargo II’, but it was in fact 44 years ago! A favourite to win the first leg into Cape Town, windless conditions put paid to that. This is how the Argus reported on their finish: “The Cape Town yacht ‘Xargo Ill’ – the only South African entry in the Whitbread-round-the-world race – tied up at its moorings at the Royal …

By Richard Crockett 58 Years ago today Alec Rose rounded the Cape on his singlehanded circumnavigation. He was ultimately Knighted for this feat. The Daily news opened their report with this paragraph: “Round-the World yachtsman Alec Rose survived seas “like sledgehammers” smashing into his 37ft. yacht, the ‘Lively Lady’, 72 hours ago and today he was patiently waiting 260 miles south of the Cape for a breeze to drive him on his attempt to emulate Sir Francis Chichester’s epic circumnavigation …

By Richard Crockett The BOC race tended to dominate the news at this time of the year, and as our local heroes were always dominant figures, my newspaper cuttings are thin at the moment with other news. So here’s another on this race, this time written by Henri du Plessis of the Argus. He discusses the weather options on the first leg in some detail, and while it is aimed at the landlubber, there is much of interest to read …

By Richard Crockett Today’s cutting is highly appropriate as it’s John Martin’s birthday – and a front page headline in the Cape Town highlighted this fact. This was 39 years ago now, a time when our singlehanders dominated our news media as they raced around the world singlehanded. Roger Williams of the Cape Times said this: “John Martin, who celebrates his 32nd birthday alone at sea today in event dubbed the “Everest of yachting” will receive a hero’s welcome if, …

By Richard Crockett Bruce Dalling was indeed a sailing hero as was witnessed at the “Great Outdoors” exhibition at Milner Park in Johannesburg. The Trustees of the South African Ocean Racing Trust (SAORT) had sent ‘Voortrekker’ by road to that exhibition as a thank you to all the landlocked people who supported him and the campaign. The opening few paragraphs from the Rand Daily Mail read as follows: “Bruce Dalling, South Africa’s transatlantic yacht hero, opened the “Rand Daily Mail” …

by Richard Crockett We move inland today to a report on the 19th Inland Keelboat Week Regatta held in 2003 held by Deneysville Aquatic Club. Reading the headline I immediately recalled the Minister’s Cups and wondered why this regatta has had so many name changes? There were 52 entries in three fleets. Eight round-the-cans races and a medium distance race were sailed. Ewald Sternagel won the gold fleet, Keith Vennel the silver fleet and Jan Laubsher the cruising fleet. READ …

By Richard Crockett 58 years ago today ‘Corsair II’ arrived in Durban after nearly completing her circumnavigation. She is a well known yacht, even today, and her owner, Col Stan Jeffrey was a great sailor and sailing administrator having been the backbone of the Cruising Association of South Africa (CASA) for many years. Today’s report in the daily news opened as follows: “Col. S. H. Jeffrey, his wife, Daphne, and two crewmen arrived in Durban last night aboard the South …

by Richard Crockett Back in the 1990s John Martin and Bertie Reed “ruled the waves” so to speak as they were either churning up the nautical miles on the oceans of the world, or were in high demand from the many journalists who wanted first-hand knowledge of their nautical exploits – and more! Newspapers and magazines, virtually daily, carried something about these two, even if it was just a few lines. Today, 35 years ago now, John Martin was having …