Sailing Magazine
By Richard Crockett
52 years ago the Argus newspaper reported on the Whitbread Round the World Race as follows:
“‘Adventure’, the Royal Navy cutter leading the round-the-world yacht race on handicap, this week had her huge Big Boy spinnaker up in excellent sailing conditions as she ploughed through the Roaring Forties in the wake of ‘Great Britain 11′, now believed to be in front with ‘Pen Duick VI’, skippered by Frenchman Eric Tabarly.
‘Great Britain II’, the glamour entry skippered by Chay Blyth, has to reach Sydney a week before Adventure to win the second leg on handicap.
“But ‘Adventure’ is only 300 miles (or 36 hours’ sailing time) behind ‘GB II’ and it seems she is managing to keep up.”
This race was a classic in so many ways as it was a handicap race, but also as the crew had some luxuries aboard with which to celebrate – unlike the race today which is “balls-to-the-wall-24/7″ and which is devoid of any niceties or crew comforts.
Back in 1973 “crewmen aboard ‘Adventure’ and ‘British Soldier’, the British Army entry, toasted Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips after the royal wedding in London this week.
On “British Soldier, according to skipper Major George Philp, they broke out champagne . . . . but they had a meagre celebration dinner to go with it – baked beans.
“On ‘Adventure’ the crew sat down to a ‘royal’ menu which included consomme, grouse, new potatoes and asparagus tips, cherry tart made aboard the yacht and fresh cream, coffee, cheese and biscuits.
“The crew also sent a congratulatory message to the royal couple and received one in return from Captain Phillips to say thank you.”
Now that’s my kind of racing – very civilised and with time and good food with which to celebrate special occasions.
READ MORE HERE: 1973 11 17 – Argus – Bruce Dalling Archives – 002216 – OCR – OCR_Redacted
