Sailing Magazine
by Richard Crockett
To read the full reports, click on the LINK following the headline.
In 1986 the America’s Cup and all its shenanigans was constantly in the news, even in this country. New Zealand’s glass-fibre boat was taking the event by storm.
And in 1988 John Martin and ‘Voortrekker II’ led the BOC fleet out of Cape Town, while Ant Steward was about to cast off again.
Moving forward to 1993 ‘Thunderchild’ led the fleet out of Cape Town on the Mykonos race. See the pic.
And another casualty in the America’s Cup when ‘Oracle’ capsized. See the pic.
1986. “A Unique Chance for A Unique Boat”. New Zealand, the glass-fibre yacht taking Fremantle by storm, is well placed to become the first boat for 135 years to win the America’s Cup at its first attempt.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1986 11 15 572
1988. “They’re Off on Aussie Leg of BOC”. After racing over the start line in Granger Bay in 10-knot winds, the 19 yachts left in the BOC Challenge round-the-world race hit a calm patch and struggled to get out of Table Bay on the 6 900-mile leg to Sydney.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1986 11 15 573
1986. “Castaway Any Casts Off Again”. It didn’t bother solo Round-the-world yachtsman Ant Steward that he was leaving on Friday the 13th to go back to the place where he nearly dies to re-start his epic voyage.
A cheerful and chubby Ant said: “No problem. I was born on Friday the 13th anyway…”
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1992 11 15 434 13
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.
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. Rathmines 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 4000 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.
Comments and contributions are welcome. Email: editor@sailing.co.za
The possibilities are endless – so watch this space.
