“Talking Sailing” from my archives. Five-Yacht Dash for Line Honours

by Richard Crockett

News is now finely focussed on the 1971 Cape to Rio Race finish and who the likely winner would be. While it seemed that ‘Ocean Spirit’ would have that honour, there was ‘Fortuna’ with ‘Graybeard’, ‘Pen Duick III’ and ‘Stormy’ hot on their transoms and fighting all the way.

As has become “normal”, ‘Pen Duick’ again did not reported her position so she is the wildcard, and could be cause for concern as her skipper Eric Tabarly was there for line honours, and is known as a wiley old seadog!

And in Rio supporters, family and friends were gathering at the yacht club, adding to the tension and carnival atmosphere of the finish area.

RESULTS – Line Honours
1 Ocean Spirit
2 Graybeard
3 Stormy
4 Albatros
5 Jan Pott

Handicap
1 Albatros
2 Stormy
3 Golden City
4 Breezand
5 Omuramba

“Thrilling·Duel in Rio Finish”. Five-yacht Dash for Line Honours. Day and night watch is being kept from the island of Basa, near the entrance to Guanabara Bay and Rio de Janeiro as leaders in the Cape-to-Rio race approach the finish line.
READ MORE HERE:  1971 02 08 – Rio 1971 – Dave Elcock Collection -000519 – OCR

“Ocean Spirit From Graybeard”. ‘Ocean Spirit’ was still in the lead yesterday, only 191 miles from Rio. She had travelled 274 miles since she reported on Saturday, and if she maintained this pace it seemed last night that she could be in Rio by 9.30 a.m. to-day – first across the finishing line.
READ MORE HERE:  1971 02 08 – Rio 1971 – Dave Elcock Collection -000263 – OCR

“Trade Winds Give Fast Finish”. ‘Ocean Spirit’, racing into Rio on the north-east trades, is being sailed by her joint owners Robin Knox-Johnston and Leslie Williams, two of the most dedicated and ambitious yachtsmen in the world.
READ MORE HERE:  1971 02 08 – Rio 1971 – Dave Elcock Collection -000541 – OCR

“Chasing Squalls is Tough Sailing”. ‘Albatros II’ will arrive in Rio·with a thoroughly worn-out and weary crew deserving every possible credit for a tremendous effort.
READ MORE HERE:  1971 02 08 – Rio 1971 – Dave Elcock Collection -000544 – OCR

“Tension Rises At Rio Yacht Club”.  Owners and “support crews” – wives and relatives of sailing crews of the ships sailing the Cape-to-Rio·race, gathered in growing tension at Rio Yacht Club yesterday as the end of the 3 500·mile (5 600 km) race came in sight.
READ MORE HERE:  1971 02 08 – Rio 1971 – Dave Elcock Collection -000518 – OCR

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