Sailing Magazine
By Richard Crockett
It was 35 years ago today when both John Martin and Bertie Reed started the Two-Star transatlantic race from Plymouth to Newport. This was the first real test of their new hi-tech yachts, so besides being a major shake-down race, it would also show them first-hand just how their trusty steeds fared against the world’s best shorthanded racing yachts.
This was going to be a tougher race than normal as Canadian and US coastguards reported that an unusual numbers of icebergs and smaller floes (“growlers”) were moving southwards. The Americans advised the mariners to use “extreme caution” near the Grand Banks off Newfoundland. Crews would also have to remain on a 24-hour lookout as they neared the end of their two-to-three-week journey as they approached Newport, Rhode Island.
As a two-handed race, John Martin had his brother Ian as crew, while Bertie Reed had chosen Greg Prescott as his crew.
READ MORE HERE: 1990 06 10 – sunday times – John Martin – 005009 – S&A – OCR
