“Talking Sailing” From My Archives. 52 Years Ago Today the Very First Rio Race Started

by Richard Crockett

Today is a very auspicious day as it was on 16 January 1971 (today) that the very first race to Rio came under starters orders. This was a race that cemented our place in sailing history as it became one of those iconic races that yachties around the world simply had to compete in.

From small beginnings in 1971 it grew to a race with 128 starters in 1976, and to day the 17th race is underway with the leading boats less than a week out of Rio.

So just how is the fleet faring today?

Of the two cats ‘Norhi’ continues to lead with ‘Aventurerio 4′ following almost exactly in her wake. These two could finish within five days, but obviously weather dependant.

Of the monohulls, ‘Atalanta’ the smallest boat in the fleet and the only one being raced single-handed, continues to lead, and at this stage could finish in seven days time. Her closest rival for line honours amongst the monohulls is ‘Ray of Light’ which has sailed the traditional northerly course and now has her bow pointing at Rio and her sights firmly set on being the first monohull there as her boat speeds improve all the time.

It will be a drag race to Rio from here for ‘Atalanta’ and ‘Ray of Light’, and with the latter 10-feet longer than the former, she could well win this tussle for supremacy over the line.

A late bloomer in the race, and a yacht that could upset the proverbial apple cart is ‘Audaz II’. She is a 50+-footer, and on paper should overtake both ‘Atalanta’ and ‘Ray of Light’.

One must remember that yacht racing is all about handicaps, and that the handicap winner is the actual winner of the race, and not the yacht which takes line honours.

On this score, ‘Atalanta’ has worn the winner’s crown almost exclusively from the start. It would be a bitter blow for her skipper, Adrian Kuttel, should he not continue to wear the crown all the way in to Rio.

Kuttel should pass the one thousand miles to go milestone in the next 24 – 36 hours.

So back to the days of yore, I unashamedly bring you newspaper cuttings today exclusively from the day of the start of the 1971 race.

1971. Rio Here They Come. READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 16 – Rio 1971 – S&A – _Redacted

1971. Albatros is Delayed At Robben Island. READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 16 – Rio 1971 – S&A – 000358 – OCR

1971. Yachts Off in Great Race. READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 16 – Rio 1971 – S&A – 002094 – OCR

1971. This Was the Finest View of All. READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 16 – Rio 1971 – S&A – 002098 – OCR

1971. 100 000 Will See Rio Yachts Sail Today. READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 16 – Rio 1971 – S&A – 002110 – STITCHED – OCR

1971. Harbour Traffic Today. READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 16 – Rio 1971 – S&A – 002111 – STITCHED – OCR

1971. The Race to Rio – (6-page Cape Times Supplement). READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 16 – Rio 1971 – S&A reduced – combined CAPE TIMES SUPPLEMENT – 002127 – OCR

1971. The Challenge From the Cape. READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 16 – Rio 1971 – S&A – stitched final – 420 – OCR

1971. The Start Plus 5 Seconds (What A Wonderful Pic). READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 16 – Rio 1971 – S&A -000472

1971. Wonderful Sight But A Traffic Nightmare. READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 16 – Rio 1971 – S&A -000480

1971. They’re Off to Rio. READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 17 – Rio – S&A – 003616 – OCR

1971. Fair Ships, A Fresh Wind, and They’re Off to Rio. READ MORE HERE:  1971 01 18 – Rio – S&A – 003617 – OCR