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. “3CR12 Snatches the Lead in Battle of the Maxis”. The battle of the giant maxis in the Uruguay race is a story of changing fortunes.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1985 01 16 320 43
1988. “Ou Voortrekker Verstom Kenners”. Die seiljag Van Ryn Voortrekker met die jong Vloot-offisier Lt. Hanno Teuteberg as skipper, het gistermiddag laat tweede oor die wenstreep van die Clinic Holdings Dias-seiljagwedvaart tussen Lissabon en Kaapstad gevaar – en daarmee een van die puikste wedvaarte voltooi wat die jag nog afgele het.
TRANSLATION: “Old Vortrekker Astonishes Experts”. The yacht Van Ryn Voortrekker with the young Navy officer Lt. Hanno Teuteberg as skipper, finished second over the finish line of the Clinic Holdings Dias yacht race between Lisbon and Cape Town late on Wednesday afternoon, completing one of the finest races yet to complete what the yacht has done.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1988 01 16 9_Redacted
1992. “Close Encounters As Tactics Are Tested”. An excellent team racing day sponsored by Aluweld’s Craig Millar took place at HMYC on Sunday. Sixteen yachts in four teams each consisting of a Hunter, a Laser, a Fireball and a Miracle took part, and the competition was run on a round robin basis.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1992 01 16 415 21
1992. “Fate of 2 SA Yachtsmen in Maputo to Be Decided Soon”. Mozambican authorities will soon decide on the release of two South African yachtsmen who are being detained in the Maputo harbour on their yacht, SABC radio news reports.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1992 01 16 415 24
1992. “It’s Party Time for Yachtsmen”. Durban’s Point Yacht Club has reached that magic figure of 100. The third oldest club in South Africa – behind Royal Natal and Swartkops Yacht Club – and the biggest yacht club in the southern hemisphere, celebrates its centenary this year.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1992 01 16 689
1993. “Searose·in Rio Lead Challenge”. Searose Kwik-Fit, the controversial Rothmans Cape-to-Rio catamaran, reeled in the race leaders yesterday and challenged Broomstick for the lead and line honours.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1993 01 16 436
1996. “Warrior on the Charge in Rio Battle”. “We are sailing hard – sometimes spending double and triple watches on deck (16 hours at a stretch) to keep the boat at maximum speed,” say the crew of Warrior.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1996 01 16 769
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