“Talking Sailing” from my archives. 3 Day to 1971 Rio Race Start

by Richard Crockett

There’s little to say in the final build-up, other than skippers and crews will be frazzled, loved-ones beginning to realise that a better half will be gone for a few week on an adventure across an ocean. And the throngs of visitors just keep streaming in to the Royal Cape Yacht Club marina to see the yachts and their crews.

“Rio Race Tension Growing”. Tension becomes a tangible force at times. You can feel it building up. You can almost see it.
READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 15 – Rio 1971 – Dave Elcock Collection – 000574 – OCR_Redacted

“Sightseers Descend on Race HQ”. While hordes of sightseers descended on race headquarters SAS Unite yesterday, crew worked frantically to complete their preparations for the big event.
READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 16 – Rio 1971 – Dave Elcock Collection -000475 – OCR

“How the General Botha Yacht Entered Rio·race”. Ever since I paid that first visit some four years ago, to the “General Botha” Navy Academy when there was an “At Home” to relatives and friends, my interest has never slackened in that establishment. That same evening, as an educationist, I felt compelled to write quite half-a-dozen letters to school Headmasters whom I knew and newspaper editors as far afield as Kimberley, Bloemfontein and Vryburg, informing them of this amazing way in which their matriculants could continue their education.
READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 16 – Rio 1971 – Dave Elcock Collection -000288 – OCR

“Rio Race Traffic Arrangements”. Visitors to the Cape Town harbour area who plan to see the beginning of the Cape·to·Rio race “unofficially” without permits and invitations from the organizers on Saturday – forget it. The Harbour Police are prepared for you.
READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 15 – Rio 1971 – Dave Elcock Collection – 000573 – OCR

“Vorster Will Watch the Start”. The Prime Minister, Mr Voster, members of the Cabinet, top provincial executives and mayors of leading cities in South Africa will watch the start of the Cape-to-Rio race at 4.30 p.m. on Saturday.
READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 16 – Rio 1971 – Dave Elcock Collection -000477a – OCR_Redacted