Sailing Magazine
By Richard Crockett
It’s always with some trepidation at this time of the year I have to make the decision whether or not to share details of the fateful Vasco da Gama Race in 1984 when ‘Rubicon’ and her crew were lost at sea, never to be seen again.
It’s a tough race is the Vasco, as are many other ocean races around the world. But with the vagaries of the Wild Coast, the Agulhas current and the sometimes very strong prevailing winds on the route from Durban to East London, it can be tougher than some ever expect, especially when nature manages to combine a strong flowing southerly current with gale-force or stronger south westerly winds.
‘Rubicon’ had a highly experienced skipper in Sigi Eicholz, plus her crew had done good mileage with him. Sigi was a previous multi-time winner of the race, so whatever happened to them was, one can only assume, catastrophic and very quick.
Two boats sunk, another ran aground, and others suffered various amounts of damage. It was a tough night out there in the middle of that storm, with stories around the Teak Reef being prolific.
Today’s newspaper cutting is simply my tribute to those who were lost at sea, suffered damage or injury, and whose seamanship and experience saw them survive the toughest storm at sea, and get home safely. I salute you one and all.
READ MORE HERE: 1984 04 29 – Sunday Tribune – 1984 Vasco – combined final – S&A – OCR copy
