Sailing Magazine
by Richard Crockett
I am scanning and archiving press cuttings I have accumulated and which I guestimate run into tens of thousands! A daunting task which I believe to be necessary as for many years I have been concerned about the lack of interest Clubs, Classes and other sailing related organisations give to preserving their history.
From the overwhelming response I have received to these posts in the past few days 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.
This is my personal crusade to save the rich history of our sport, and to share it in the hope that you will enjoy reminiscing, and learning more.
To read the full reports, click on the LINK following the headline.
1985. “Momemtum Life Grabs Atlantic Race Lead”. The first position reports received last night since the start of the 1985 South Atlantic Race in Table Bay on Saturday, show that the Wits University-crewed maxi Momentum Life, skippered by Gerhard Aab, has snatched the lead from the scratch boat, Apple Macintosh, skippered by “Padda” Kuttel of Cape Town.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1985 01 15 320 5
1985. “Three Yachts Already Out the Race”. Three yachts have been forced to retire from the 1985 South Atlantic race and there is still an almost complete blackout on positions as the depleted fleet of 33 heads for Uruguay.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1985 01 15 320 115
1987. “Clear Skies, Stiff Breeze for Race Off Strand Beach”. A buzz was about Strand beach early last Saturday morning as weather conditions turned favourably for the Great Western Cooler Longhaul.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1987 01 15 672
1988. “Taai Bertie Wen Dias-Vaart”. Bertie (Biltong) Reed, rateltaaie en uitgeslape Springbok-seiljagvaarder, het gisteraand net voor agtuur eerste oor die wenstreep van die Clinic Holdings Dias-seiljagwedvaart tussen Lissabon en Kaapstad gevaar – en daarmee nog ‘n oorwinning op sy lang lys van seilprestasies gevoeg.
TRANSLATION: “Tough Bertie Wins Dias Race”. Bertie (Biltong) Reed, the seasoned Springbok sailor, sailed first over the finish line of the Clinic Holdings Dias yacht race between Lisbon and Cape Town just before eight o’clock – adding another victory to his long list of sailing performances.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1988 01 15 7_Redacted
1991. “Tough Yacht Race Starts At Hout Bay”. One of the toughest races on the South African yachting calender, the 1991 Anglo-Alpha Agulhas Yacht Race·from Hout Bay to Mossel Bay gets underway in two weeks’ time.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1991 01 15 401 17
1993. “Anthony Has Oceans of Courage”. Intrepid solo sailor Anthony Steward left Richards Bay on Wednesday on the last leg of his epic round the world journey.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1993 01 15 310
2007. “Team Shosholoza Seen As A Threat”. Reaching the semi-finals of the prestigious 2007 America’s Cup used to be a dream for the 17 crew on the South African yacht, Shosholoza, but now it is a distinct possibility.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 2007 01 15 627
Comments and contributions are welcome. Email: editor@sailing.co.za
What is “On this Day” About?
I am busy archiving many boxes of press cuttings I have accumulated and which I guestimate run into tens of thousands! A daunting task which I believe to be necessary before ditching them as I have been concerned for many years about the lack of interest Clubs, Classes and other sailing related organisations give to preserving their history.
From the overwhelming response I have received to these posts in the past few days 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.
This is my personal crusade, and instead of simply archiving and keeping the contents away from prying eyes, I will share my spoils in the hope that you will enjoy reminiscing as much as I have, and continue to do as I wade through the labourious process of scanning each and every cutting in my archives.
As each scanned cutting will be searchable, I will be able to create presentation packs personally tailored to a persons exact requirements – ie. Rothmans Week, the NCS Regatta, the Rio Race, Mauritius Race, Vasco da Gama Race and more – or simply by the name of an individual (like Ant Steward and his open boat exploits) who want a record of his/her sailing career for the family archives.
I have already done this by scanning in excess of 8500 pages of material I have on ‘Voortrekker’ – from idle chatter, to concept, to the formation of what ultimately became the South African Ocean Racing Trust (SAORT), to the fruition of the 1968 OSTAR Race in which Bruce Dalling and ‘Voortrekker’ excelled – and even beyond that.
The possibilities are endless – so watch this space.
Comments and contributions are welcome. Email: editor@sailing.co.za
