Historical

By Richard Crockett Watch out in today’s selected news items for news of Anthony Steward and his exploits around the world in an open boat. And of course much more too. 1969. Exciting Finish to Yacht Race:  1969 05 23 – 1969 Lipton – 000119 – OCR 1969. The Sinking Feeling… :  1969 05 23 – Henri Hiddes Collection – 000743_Redacted – OCR 1980. Durban’s Hudson Wins A Tight Race:  1980 05 23 – 1980 Fireball Worlds – 000818 – …

By Richard Crockett Here are a few newspaper reports to kick the week off. Enjoy them. 1989. Durban Yacht Hit Rocks After Capsize Drama:  1989 05 22 – 061 2 1991. Washed Overboard, But SA Solo Sailor Carries On:  1991 05 22 – 122 2 2006. Shosholoza Riding High:  2006 05 22 – 677 2 2009. The Old Lady and the Sea:  2009 05 22 – 685

By Richard Crockett Another selection of newspaper news items from the huge collection of cuttings going back as far as 1914. Enjoy today’s selection. 1990. Hanno and Co Head for the Line:  1990 05 17 – 033 1992. SA Pair Second in First Race for World Crown:  1992 05 17 – 184 1995. 2 PE Sportsmen Missed the Wind:  1995 05 17 – 348 1995. Leaking Yacht Gets Back to Durban:  1995 05 17 – 346 2006. Grinding Out Special …

By Richard Crockett As I always attempt to bring interesting newspaper snippets each day, I trust that today’s selection is just that? 1980. High Winds Hamper Fireball Contest:  1980 05 22 – 1980 Fireball Worlds – 000816 – OCR 1994. Here Comes Martin!:  1994 05 16 – 291 2003. New Yacht Could Herald ‘New Dawn’ for Ruth:  2003 05 16 – 013 2008. Yachts Brave the Mist to Compete in Challenging Race:  2008 05 16 – 697

By Richard Crockett I am able to share a broad selection of news from today from yesteryear. Of interest is the fact that in 1992, 31 years ago, the Point Yacht Club celebrated its centenary. 1980. Durban Yachtsman Top:  1980 05 15 – 1980 Fireball Worlds – 000801 – OCR 1989. Savage and Zarnack Win the Sprog Class:  1989 05 15 – 373 4 1990. Dias Race Hots Up As Pacesetters Head for Lisbon:  1990 05 15 – 140_Redacted 1996. …

By Richard Crockett Once again I can share a good cross-section of sailing news from yesteryear. 1967. Delight on S. A. Entry for Atlantic Race:  1967 05 10 – Voortrekker 1 & Dalling – SAORT Voortrekker – 283 – OCR 1971. Tenders to Sponsor SA Yacht;  1971 05 10 – Thirsty Bertie – 000005_Redacted – OCR 1972. Rio Race Pays Off:  1972 05 10 – 002291 – OCR 1986. John Martin Earns His Province Colours:  1986 05 10 – 000042 …

By Richard Crockett And today there is far more news than yesterday – some good, some bad, and some simply news of our favourite sport. On occasions I do get asked why I publish the horror stories? The simple fact is that they are news as much as the happy stories are. Plus, an Editor’s nightmare is often what the journalist does not write about rather that what he does! 1985. Zwartkops Regatta Attracts More Than A Hundred Entries.  1985 …

by Richard Crockett Today is one of those days (dates) where there was little sailing in national media. So while there are only four newspaper reports to share, they all have interest. 1991. First to Cross Atlantic in An Open Boat:  1991 05 08 – 129 1991. Anchors Aweigh in Yacht Regatta After Day’s Lull:  1991 05 08 – 407 22 1992. SA Duo Win Tune-up Race in World Yachting Contest:  1992 05 08 – 157 1993. Strong International J22 …

by Richard Crockett 1987. S Africans in Lead As Yachts Near Finish:  1987 05 05 – 000168 1988. Ilse III Said to Be Leading Fleet to EL. :  1988 05 05 – 950 1990. Close-quarter Compatibility Can Make Or Break A Crew:  1990 05 05 – 977 1990. Yachting Family From SA Fall Into Renamo Hands:  1990 05 05 – 387 6_Redacted 2 1990. Meek’s ‘Yellow Peril’ Going for Line Honours:  1990 05 05 – 387 6_Redacted 2 1995. Award …

By Richard Crockett An event with “top of the mind awareness” at this time of the year is the annual Vasco da Gama Race as it’s always been tough and relentless and will always be remembered and judged on the 1984 race which was dubbed in the media as a “Disaster”. Yes, it was tough, very tough, but that is no reason for not sharing info on that fateful race as questions are always asked about it, and much can …

By Richard Crockett As one can expect the news is always mixed with good and bad, and today we have a smattering of both. We have “Rogue Wave” news which is a term not only used to describe conditions in the Vasco da Gama Ocean Race, but which also caught ‘Thunderchild’ short when on passage to Mauritius in 1989. Ant Steward sprung a leak – well his trusty steed did off Australia when attempting his solo circumnavigation in an open …

By Richard Crockett A new week and new news through the ages and from yesteryear. 1969. Brazil Backs Yacht Race:  1969 04 24 – Rio 1971 – Don Pfotenhauer Collection – 000073 000562_Redacted – OCR 1970. Dalling Will Get Duty Free Yacht:  1970 04 24 – Rio ’71 – Don Pfotenhauer Collection – 423 – OCR 1987. Tactical Blunder Upsets Martin:  1987 04 24 – 000162 1990. Skipper Shows No Mercy in this Dash:  1990 04 24 – 157 1991. …

by Richard Crockett I have more memories of our events and sailors to share today, and even surprised myself by unearthing a pre-race cutting of the 1999 Vasco da Gama ocean race when I sailed with Dave Cox aboard Solar Wind, an L34. We had a very young Jof Heathcote aboard as helmsman, and other very young crew who had been well drilled by Cox in the build-up to the race. I wrote the following in that report: “It hardly …

By Richard Crockett Another beautiful day and more newspaper news from yesteryear. It’s always difficult picking the juiciest bits to share! The headline “Hardy Sailors Gear Up for Vasco Da Gama Race” may interest those who like ocean races and passages as it is from a column I wrote just prior to the Vasco Race when I read two books on the greatest storms at sea! Probably not a wise thing to do before racing along a coast which itself …

by Richard Crockett There are a few tales of woe in the newspaper reports selected today, but instead of being alarmed or throwing brickbats, tough times do occur when traversing massive oceans in small sailing vessels. 1984. 2 EL Yachts in Tough Da Gama Ocean Race. First up is a pic of the ‘Rubicon’ crew in Durban before the start of the 1984 Vasco da Gama Ocean Race. Sadly they succumbed in a massive storm the fleet encountered on the …