News

By Richard Crockett 57 years ago today Bruce Dalling set sail in ‘Voortrekker’ as a competitor in the Observer Singlehanded Transatlantic race (OSTAR). A group of South African’s had conceived the idea and put in hours of hard work to achieve their dreams of an entry in this world class race. These men were the pioneers of the South African Ocean Racing Trust (SAORT) which still exists today. And, Bruce Dalling became the very first true idol of sailing in …

By Richard Crockett With preparation for the first ever Lipton Cup in J22 class yachts going on feverishly behind the scenes, those who sail this class of yacht need to be very aware of the class rules and not infringe them. 33 years ago Ian Ainslie and his crew were disqualified from the J22 Nationals, immediately prior to the J22 Worlds off Durban. The Sunday Tribune newspaper said this: “At the weekend Springbok yachtsman Ian Ainslie, 27, and his crew …

By Richard Crockett I do enjoy sharing features about people who taste our sport for the very first time and instantly fall in love with it. “It’s tough discovering you are passionately addicted to sailing – 600 km from the sea. “Somehow the prospect of landlocked Hartbeespoort Dam isn’t quite the same as a stiffish breeze coming straight across the Indian Ocean from Australia, white tipped waves on a deep blue sea, and the view of Durban’s Bluff receding over …

by Richard Crockett The use of trackers in yacht races is an absolute must in modern day ocean racing, and this race has for several years now used YB Tracking – the Rolls Royce of trackers. Sadly though this is not followed up with social media offering info from the boats, wind strengths, directions and changes, or simply any additional news that will allow landlubbers following on their electronic devices anything meaningful that gives some insight as to what’s actually …

By Richard Crockett I can’t remember when, even if ever, that I have mentioned the Soling Class in dispatches, so when this newspaper cutting popped up for today, I simply had to share it. The article talks about a lone Soling named ‘Jade’ being a magnificent sight as she sped on her way to line honours by a wide margin in a keeler race. She was imported from England by Guy Reynolds, and after he sold it she sat land-locked …

By Richard Crockett Due to the immense interest in the 1980 Fireball Worlds off Durban when many of yesterdays’s sailing heroes competed, here is the finale with report on the winners, the final race, a complete set of results plus a photo of the South African team. The final race was staged in conditions far from ideal. Before the final race the competition was still wide open, with David Bain of the U.K. holding the overall leading position, although any …

By Richard Crockett Dave Hudson with his crew Terry Reynolds, sailed into first place overall in the fourth race of the world Fireball championships yesterday. Conditions were almost ideal with a 10 to 12-knot north easterly blowing fairly steadily, although it did kick up a lumpy and confused sea. The lead in this race changed three times, and on the third beat, when in the lead, JJ Provoyeur led, but overstood the mark to let Hudson through and win the …

By Richard Crockett The fifth race of this world championship contest had competitors battling 25-knot north easterly winds which gusted up to more than 30 knots. This resulted in a sea with a heavy chop – typical Durban conditions. Nearly all the yachts racing capsized at least once and there were many retirements because of broken gear, mainly rudders. There are two things I personally like in today’s offering, that being the South African contingent revelled in the conditions with …

By Richard Crockett The 1990 Portnet Dias race from Cape Town to Lisbon via the Azores was a close race with Jerry Harrison snatching a narrow victory by just 84 minutes after almost 7000 nautical miles of racing. Twenty-four hours of post-race drama and tension ended when the Cruising Association of SA confirmed that Jerry Harrison and his Durban yacht ‘Jasco Spirit of St Gerard’ were the overall winners after a protest against them was dismissed. READ MORE HERE:  1990 …

By Richard Crockett In Newport, Rhode Island, 34 years ago today Bertie Reed, a “master” solo sailor, walked off with one of yachting’s top prizes at the BOC prize giving. This was an honour richly deserved after he rescued John Martin deep in the freezing waters of the Southern Ocean during the third leg of the BOC race. The argus newspaper reported said this: “Although Reed was only eighth overall after 27 000 miles in the around the world race …

By Richard Crockett It’s hard to believe that the Fireball Worlds off Durban in 1980 was 45 years ago? Regrettably Durban did not live up to it’s reputation as a “world class” sailing venue on the first day as the wind was very light allowing just one race, with the second race being abandoned when what little wind there was simply vanished. Added to the lack of decent wind, the lumpy sea did little to assist competitors. It was a …

By Richard Crockett Today’s news is somewhat off the wall as I have only chosen it because ‘Tiggy’, an Irish Terrier, competes on board when the owners are sailing. He’s, or maybe it’s a she, is a good looking mutt according to the pic! However it is also about Ruth Goodman, the only woman skipper at the Hout Bay Yacht Club, who finished in fifth position overall in the HBYC’s summer series. I wonder whether Ruth still sails? READ MORE …

By Richard Crockett Despite the Fireball fleet being battered by strong winds during the pre-worlds, it was Rick Nankin who ended up beating the rest and winning the Fireball Nationals title. Nankin sailed consistently and was among the top five in almost every race, pushing favourite and last year’s champion, Dave Hudson, into second position. Yesterday’s conditions were not the best with 25 knot south-westerly winds causing many competitors to retire. Rescue craft were kept busy helping yachtsmen from the …

by Richard Crockett It seems to be anniversary season as the Point Yacht Club turns 133 years old today, and the Royal Cape Yacht Club celebrated its 120 anniversary recently. On this day 33 years ago the PYC celebrated its centenary in style with a Ball in the City Hall and other festivities over a period of time, one of which included a Boat Show. The Club was founded on a tug, the ‘Richard King’ moored in the Point area. …

By Richard Crockett Way back in days of yore the Cruising Association of South Africa (CASA) had a completely voluntary “certificate of competence” system that yachties could avail themselves of to certify their competence. This was a rigorous exam where quality time at sea was of utmost importance, plus good knowledge of the “Rules of the Road” and much more. Those who took the exam and passed had a highly envied qualification. Back in 1981 Commander Peter Noice of the …