by Richard Crockett
The name Eric Tabarly was one which reverberated around the sailing world in the 1960s and much later too as he was simply one hell of a tough sailor and fine seaman who race a string of yachts named ‘Pen Duick’. The headline is a misnomer as Bob Fisher penned this piece 10 years ago now.
He was always welcomed in Cape Town when on round-the-world passages, and especially during his preparations prior to the Rio Races which he embraced.
He was a popular figure whenever he went, yet a loner who preferred being out of the limelight. He was also someone who pushed the boundaries of our sport at every opportunity.
Sadly in early June 1998, Eric Tabarly drowned after he was knocked off ‘Pen Duick
I’, his beloved Fife cruising yacht, during heavy weather whilst on a routine delivery off the south Wales coast.
That’s when France lost its father of modern day ocean racing.
READ THE FULL FEATURE HERE: Pages from 2014 07 – SAILING Magazine – OCR-2