by Richard Crockett
Today my news spans the period from 1967 to 1991, and includes news of ‘Cariad I’, the fact that Rio race fever had hit Durban and that Dennis Conner handed the Kiwis their first challenge defeat. Then it’s a skip to 1991 with the news that the America’s Cup fleet was heading for Sydney, but not for the America’s Cup.
1969. ‘Cariad Ready for Sea in 18 Months’. One of the world’s historically famous yachts, ‘Cariad I’, which has been lying dock-bound and was methodically stripped at the repair wharf in Durban harbour five years ago, is being fitted out for world sea cruises and is likely to undergo trials within the next 18 months. CLICK on this link to read all about it: 1967 10 17
1969. ‘Suddenly, That Rio Race Fever Hits Durban’. Suddenly this week, the news of definite entries for the Rio race were made public, and by Wednesday there were no fewer than six Durban yachts scheduled to be in the race, four of which have already been confirmed by the SAORT in Cape Town. CLICK on this link to read all about it: 1969 10 17
1986. ‘Conner Hands Kiwis First Challenge Defeat’. Dennis Conner handed New Zealand its first defeat in the America’s Cup challenger eliminations today. CLICK on this link to read all about it: 1986 10 17 523_Redacted
1991. ‘America’s Cup Fleet Sets Course for Sydney’. The Darling Harbour Yacht Club will host the America’s Cup class world championships in 1993, club officials announced yesterday. CLICK on this link to view it: 1991 10 17 412 23
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.