Sailing Magazine
By Richard Crockett
In Newport, Rhode Island, 34 years ago today Bertie Reed, a “master” solo sailor, walked off with one of yachting’s top prizes at the BOC prize giving.
This was an honour richly deserved after he rescued John Martin deep in the freezing waters of the Southern Ocean during the third leg of the BOC race.
The argus newspaper reported said this: “Although Reed was only eighth overall after 27 000 miles in the around the world race on ‘Grinaker’, he was one of the real winners, said former commodore for the Goat Island Yacht Club, Mr Peter Hegeman.
“He had met Bertie Reed 10 years ago during the first BOC Challenge in 1981 and since then Reed had become one of Newport’s favourite yachtsmen.
“His rescue is typical of the qualities we admire here at Newport. He is a brave and exceptional yachtsman – a great credit to his country and his fellow man. I am proud to call him my friend,” Mr Hegeman said.
This was an honour Bertie Reed richly deserved.
READ MORE HERE: 1991 05 20 – argus – John Martin – 007675 – OCR_Redacted
