Sailing Magazine
By Richard Crockett
While FD afficionados will get excited about the above heading, it was the fact that the South African designed and built Spearhead turned heads at this one-of-a-kind regatta in Anzio, Italy.
Not only did the Franks Spears designed Spearhead turn heads, but it finished 8th overall and was runner-up in Group 3.
“‘Vaurien’, built in plastic by L.M.A. of Rome made its official appearance in Anzio and for the first time in Italy intermediate dinghies such as the French 490 of Lanaverre and the South African Spearhead took part. The Spearhead, sailed by Johnny Spears and John Hunter, took eighth place in the general classification. An Italian Tempo came 28th, as against the performance of an English Fireball which managed 20th place.”
Johnny Spears said this: “One thing was quite clear and fully appreciated by all at Anzio, and that was we were fastest boat off the wind in all conditions – and the harder the wind blew the more this was demonstrated. Presto III’s reaching during the second race on Sunday left all stunned. This fact was due to two things in my opinion: First and foremost better and faster lines and secondly a superb spinnaker from Musto which Peter Hunter flew extremely well. Another factor is, of course, instant helm control, enabling us to make full use of any helping waves.”
So South Africa was represented in this unique regatta with two locally designed dinghies.
READ MORE HERE: 1966 11 – SA Yachting – fibreglass FD wins – OCR
