On this Day – 22 October. A Peek Into Our Sailing History

by Richard Crockett

To read the full reports, click on the LINK following the headline.

Despite news of Robin Lee Graham docking in Durban, the reports today are heavily Royal Cape Yacht Club and Cape biassed, which is understandable as towards the year end the club tends to become exceptionally active. However a lone report in the Cape Times simply states: “Strong Natal Challenge”.

That man Ant Steward is also in the news again.

1967. There’s a pic of Robin Lee Graham with a lengthy caption. To read the full report, Click on the following LINK:  1967 10 22

1986. ‘Nippy Kookaburras Keep Parry on Target to Retain Cup’. Perth magnate Kevin Parry’s bid to keep the America’s Cup in Australia stayed on target today as his two yachts raced each other and finished just two seconds apart. To read the full report, Click on the following LINK:  1986 10 22 141

1987. ‘Regatta Sailed in Fine Weather’. Over the past two weekends the keelboat champions have been sailing the Culemborg Regatta in what can only be described as excellent conditions. There is many a well-known name in the results. To read the full report, Click on the following LINK:  1987 10 22 9

1987. ‘200 Extra Berths for Yachts in Table Bay’. Work is nearing completion on the first phase of the Royal Cape Yacht Club’s extended mooring facilities in the southern section of the lay-up basin near the yacht harbour.  To read the full report, Click on the following LINK:  1987 10 22 11

1990. ‘Baracuda Sponsors Yachting’. Pool-cleaner manufacturer Baracuda is sponsoring the 1991 Southstar Ocean Challenge from Cape Town to St Helena. To read the full report, Click on the following LINK:  1990 10 22 393

1990. ‘Plans for Cape-to-Rio Revival’. The Cape-to-Rio yacht race, which had to be abandoned after the last race in 1976 because of political pressures on Brazil, may be revived “within the next few years”. To read the full report, Click on the following LINK:  1990 10 22 a 393

1992. ‘Strong Natal Challenge’. Nine Natal yachts will be among the 87 strong fleet sailing in the Rothmans Cape to Rio race in January with the 75-foot maxi, ‘Pilar the Pulveriser’, posing their biggest challenge for line-honours. To read the full report, Click on the following LINK:  1992 10 22 427 38

1992. ‘Anthony is Still Aiming At Sailing Records’. Yachtsman Anthony Steward’s round-the-world voyage looked scuppered when he nearly sank off the Isles de Cerf in the Indian Ocean near the Seychelles. To read the full report, Click on the following LINK:  1992 10 22 433 7 cropped

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.