Sailing Magazine
By Richard Crockett
Ocean races to and from our shores always attracted immense public interest as they were something out of the norm. But, I feel that many of the NON-SAILING followers had a secret desire to go sailing, but could simply not pluck up the courage to do so. Hence they became “armchair sailors”.
Irrespective, the Crystic Beachcomber Crossing from Mauritius to Durban still conjures up excitement from those who did it, and those who wish they had.
Today I am able to share a rather large feature from the Argus newspaper which ran with the headline above, and which said this: “The Crystic Beachcomber Crossing, with a fleet of more than 50 yachts racing for line honours, has brought the Indian Ocean to life.
“The Crossing, the only international yacht race with a finish line in South Africa, started on Saturday morning from Grand Baie at the northern tip of Mauritius, and ends in Durban. It is expected to be a fast down-wind race.
“Fifty-four sleek yachts embarked on the 1 600- mile epic and at least one them is reported to have returned to the island after difficulties”.
There are four additional mini-features to this main presentation – so there’s lots to read, enjoy and be reminded about.
READ IT ALL HERE: 1987 09 29 – argus – 005341 – OCR
