On this Day 15 October. A Peek Into Our Sailing History

by Richard Crockett

Yesterday I ran the cutting from 1989 entitled “Norwegian Freighter Saves Irish Yachtsman”. Well blow me down when Jeremy Bagshaw of Cape Point Rigging in Simonstown contacted me to say that he had passed the cutting on to Pat Lawless who intends doing the next Golden Globe Race to see if there was any connection. Well there is, as the Pat Lawless mentioned in the article is his father. Pat (junior) was thrilled to receiving the cutting and add it to the family archives.

So back to today where ‘Transvalers were set for a treat’, while Durban yachtsmen had their eyes set on the Rothmans trophy. There was no kiss and make up between Yves and Marc Pajot in the America’s Cup, and another yachtsman was in difficulty off our west coast. Zwartkops opened its season, while Hans Schroder was the star of the show at Midmar, and there was a ‘Happy start for America’s Cup Challengers’!

There lot’s to read today, so sit back, grab that mug of coffee and enjoy what’s on offer today.

1986. Transvalers Set for A Treat’. A feature of the Lifestyle Expo ‘86 was the largest yacht ever to be see on the show in the Transvaal for several years – identified by the short and simple name ‘L34′.  CLICK on this link to read all about it:  1986 10 15 109_Redacted

1986. Durban Yachtsmen Have Eyes on Rothmans Trophy. Three Durban yachtsmen were determined to snatch the Rothmans Trophy – the biggest prize in South African yacht racing – from Cape Town in December. CLICK on this link to read all about it:  1986 10 15 120

1986. ‘Brothers in Yachting Duel’. Yve Pajot of ‘Challenge France’ protested Marc Pajot’s ‘French Kiss’ – which was sensationally disqualified in the America’s Cup Challenger eliminations! CLICK on this link to read all about it: 1986 10 15 516

1988. ‘Yachtsman Tells of 20-day Ordeal Off SA Coast’. For the first time since his heroic arrival at Luderitz in his 8-metre yacht, Mr Alain Kraft (33) yesterday described in broken English his ordeal at sea. CLICK on this link to read all about it:  1988 10 15

1992. ZYC Season Opens in Calm Conditions. Zwartkops Yacht Club opened its season last weekend in unusually moderate conditions. What caught my eye was some of the names mentioned in this report who are still active and prominent. CLICK on this link to read all about it:  1992 10 15 427 22

1992. ‘Star of the show was Atalanta’. Star of the weekend’s yachting at Midmar was undoubtedly Hans Schroder sailing his Hunter ‘Atalanta’. CLICK on this link to read all about it:  1992 10 15 427 23

1995. ‘Happy Start for America’s Cup Challengers’. The challengers and defenders have started the 1995 America’s Cup campaign on good terms by agreeing to the format of the always bitterly contested international regatta. CLICK on this link to read all about it:  1995 10 15 427 24

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. 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 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.