Sailing Magazine
By Richard Crockett
The very first Cape to Rio race in 1971 attracted a broad spectrum of yachtie from the rich and famous to the humble home builder.
On this day in 1970, 55 years ago, the Daily News newspaper ran the above provocative headline, and opened the report as follows:
“Robin Knox-Johnston and Leslie Williams are to ocean racing what Bob Hope and Bing Crosby are to films – an unlikely couple who make an unbeatable combination.
“When they join the starters for the Cape Town to Rio race on January 16 in ‘Ocean Spirit’, they will have considerable racing practice behind them – as well as the superb meals provided by the ship’s cook, gastronome and·writer Clement Freud.
“They won the Round Britain Race in July with ‘Ocean Spirit’ – little more than an empty hull with a suit of sails. When they arrive in Cape Town this yacht – at 71ft. (21m) and 28 tons the largest glass-fibre ketch in the world – will not only be completely prepared and fitted out, but the veteran of a varied racing season that started with the Round Britain and ends with the Middle Sea Race from Malta in November.”
This is a very interesting feature about these two great yachties.
READ MORE HERE: 1970 10 20 – daily news – Rio 1971 – Don Pfotenhauer Collection – 480 – OCR
