Sailing Magazine
by Richard Crockett
From the overwhelming response I receive from these posts, from all over the world I may add, 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.
Should you wish to copy, forward or share material from here, PLEASE acknowledge the source as: Sourced From the SAILING Mag Archives & Historical Records.
To read the full reports, click on the LINK following each headline.
1968. “De Kat Heads for Home”. Briton thrown from mast. French yachtsman Jean de Kat, plucked seasick but laughing from the Atlantic, headed for home last night while 29 other lone mariners forged across the ocean.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1968 06 22 – OSTAR 788
1968. “New Sprog Contest Date Opposed”. Durban yachtsmen are unhappy at the proposed date for the 1968-69 Natal Sprog championships. This event, which traditionally has been held in Durban over Easter, is scheduled to take place at the Wagendrift Dam, near Estcourt, from August 31 to September 2.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1968 06 22 COMBINED573 34
1968. “Why A Spill in A ‘Cat’ Can Mean Disaster”. The fate·of transatlantic yachtsman Joan de Kat and his trimaran Yaksha will reopen the bitter controversy on multihulled boats. Are they sailing craft of the future or floating death-traps?
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1968 06 22 COMBINED573 45
1969. “Crowhurst Now Just Three Weeks From Home”. Donald Crowhurst, last of the nine Golden Globe circumnavigators, is now only three weeks from his destination, Teignmouth, Devon. His estimated position today is 31N, 37W, which is 600 miles southwest of the Azores.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1969 06 22 602 1
1970. “Yachts Do Battle Off Durban in Mercury Crew Selection Trials”. Three Durban yachts battled stiff south·westerly winds off Durban on Saturday to test the deep-sea ability of Natal yachtsmen wishing to become crew members of the Mercury – the crack 13-metre (42ft.) ocean racer which will represent the Province of Natal in International yachting events for three years.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1970 06 22 481
1988. “Martin Needs ‘A Fair Blow of Wind’ to Win”. It could all end in heartbreak for South Africa’s solo racing yachtsman John Martin, now tantalisingly close to the end of the 4 827 km singlehanded Transatlantic yacht race from Portsmouth, England, to Newport Rhode Island.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1988 06 22 16
1990. “French Trimaran Takes Two-star Race Line Honours”. The multihulls failed to break the record for a transatlantic crossing when the French trimaran Elf Aquitaine took line honours in the two-star race from Plymouth to Newport.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1990 06 22 388 11
1995. “Top SA Team for Admiral’s Cup”. South Africa is back in the Admiral’s Cup after a 20-year absence – and the team feels it has an excellent chance of winning the championship.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1995 06 22 874
1998. “French Yachtsman Was A True Pioneer”. Last week one of the world’s greatest and most respected yachtsmen was reported missing at sea.
To read the full report, Click on the following LINK: 1998 06 22 930
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.
Should you wish to copy, forward or share material from here, PLEASE acknowledge the source as: Sourced From the SAILING Mag Archives & Historical Records.
From the overwhelming response I receive from these posts, from all over the world I may add, 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 do, 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 18 000 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
