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by Richard Crockett This 70th challenge of the Lipton Cup was due to be something special, and despite the naysayers, it was to all intents and purposes just that with one pundit calling it the best ever, as the hosts, Royal Cape Yacht Club, pulled out all the stops. They had paid attention to every single detail throughout the Club that makes a regatta a success, and their attentive staff were pleasant and efficient throughout the week. READ IT ALL …

by Richard Crockett On 16 January 1994, the 92 foot cat ‘Enza’ crossed the Ushant start line in a bid to win the Jules. Verne Trophy. On 1 April she re-crossed the line, having taken 74 days, 22 hours , 17 minutes and 22 seconds to race round the world, handsomely beating the existing record and also beating her rival ‘Lyonnaise des Eaux Dumez’. READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE:  Pages from 1994 06 – SA Yachting – ENZA – OCR

by Richard Crockett A record entry of 79 yachts, of which 74 actually started, is testimony to the popularity of this annual jaunt around Cape Point. The weatherman predicted light to moderate conditions, the sky was clear, the moon was also full and the 130 mile course was twice around the fairest Cape. What more could a sailor want? Probably just a few less holes was the general consensus. READ MORE HERE: Pages from 1991 11 – SA Yachting – …

by Richard Crockett It’s not often that the local South African boat building industry has something to crow about, especially if they are building racing monohulls, yet Cape Performance Sailing is on a super-fast downwind plane with its sails crammed full of orders. Having set up shop just 36 months ago, the yard headed by Davey James and Stephen du Toit, have just launched their 50th boat, and have Hull 57 in build right now. That’s impressive stuff as the …

by Richard Crockett Multiclass National regattas have always intrigued me as I firmly believe that the camaraderie built at those events, as too the memories, last a lifetime. These used to be regular affairs with the earliest reference I have being the 1952 National Regatta on Table Bay, from 17 to 29 March when 70 boats and 14 Clubs competed. They also formed the selection regatta for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. It is interesting that SAYRA (South African Yacht Racing …

by Richard Crockett The Vasco da Gama Race, due to start at 11h00 this morning has been postponed – until when is anyone’s guess as that decision has not been communicated as far as I can see. Be that as it may, it gives me an opportunity to post more pics from the Vasco races of yore. So enjoy these. Maybe it’s worth revisiting the start decision? Early this morning my spies in Durban tell me that the wind was …

By Richard Crockett I had a torrid day yesterday so was unable to scan new pics and prepare material for today, so I have instead decided to share some responses and additional info on pics posted this week. In response to my query about Commodore’s “Taking the Salute” at opening cruises, Ralp Willcox responded by saying: “As I remember it, most Flag Officers wore caps until the late ’50s – certainly the Commodore and Vice Commodore. At VLC the bridge …

by Richard Crockett Unless you are a Hobie sailor you may well have not heard of the Worrell 1000 – a very tough 1000nm offshore multihull race from Fort Lauderdale to Virginia Beach on the USA East Coast. In 1984, as first time contestants – and just one of 10 teams – they made their mark and almost upset the balance as they finished in an impressing second place. This is how the report in SAILING Mag opened: “There remains …

by Richard Crockett Wow, what a phenomenal response to info on the photos I published on Friday (25 March 2022). There are several old salts out there with wonderful knowledge of our history. Best of all they are happy to share it and help preserve our wonderful maritime history. Thank you one ‘n all. My thanks to: Simon Bongers; David Elcock; Stephen Flesch; Brian Hallock; Ian Knipe; Angelo Lavranos; Frans Loots; George Parkes & David Staniforth. I am now able …

by Richard Crockett The 50th Vasco da Gama Race starts on Sunday with an eight-boat fleet as two boats have withdrawn. It’s not a big fleet, but ocean races along the Wild Coast no longer attract big numbers. With three Fast 42s competing, this is likely to be where the line honours contender comes from, with the handicap race being pretty much an unknown. The fleet is as follows: Adios – John Tudehope – Fast 42 Chinook – Neville Bransby …

by Richard Crockett I am sure, like me, that most of the answers will be Sandefjord. I was always under that impression until I queried this fact and was told it was White Seal – which I took for granted. But in doing some archiving of very early SA Yachting magazines, plus some old black & white pics in my archive, I came across reference to White Seal and decided to delve a little deeper. In reporting on her circumnavigation …

by Richard Crockett Last week I posted a pic of the 505 Worlds off Durban in 1979, and as it solicited a wonderful response, I delved into the archives to see what other gems I could come up with. This event was of course won by Kim Slater and Richard Parslow (UK) followed by JJ Provoyeur & Terry Twentyman-Jones and then Dave Hudson & Terry Reynolds rounding off the podium in the 32-boat fleet. Much of the info in this …

by Richard Crockett From the overwhelming response I receive from these posts, from all over the world I may add, the interest is cranking up rapidly and I am being connected with some wonderful people thirsty for more. Thank you all who have made contact. Should you wish to copy, forward or share material from here, PLEASE acknowledge the source as: Sourced From the SAILING Mag Archives & Historical Records. To read the full reports, click on the LINK following …

by Richard Crockett From the overwhelming response I receive from these posts, from all over the world I may add, the interest is cranking up rapidly and I am being connected with some wonderful people thirsty for more. Thank you all who have made contact. Should you wish to copy, forward or share material from here, PLEASE acknowledge the source as: Sourced From the SAILING Mag Archives & Historical Records. To read the full reports, click on the LINK following …

Campbell Alexander & Dave Herridge sailed together in the Flying 15 worlds in Ireland a few weeks back as a new combination. Alexander sails both Flying 15s and Lasers, while Herridge is a ‘lifetime’ Laser sailor and top kiteboarder. They finished 11th in the pre-worlds in a fleet of 50-plus boats and 15th in the Worlds in a fleet of 70-plus boats. Their overall position in the worlds does not tell the whole story as in several races they led …