1969 & 1971 TRANSATLANTICS

I crossed the atlantic twice on “Carina” which was launched in the spring of 1969. A year which was famous for Woodstock and the Moon walk. We huddled around the radio at sea to listen to the Moonwalk broadcast. We races the Fastnet and the US team won the Admiral’s Cup that year; finishing second in 1971.

CARINA
ADMIRAL’S CUP

TRANSATLANTIC 1975

Working backwards. Before the 2003 race my previous race was in 1975. Newport to Cowes, IOW. A Swan 48 named “Weald”. A fine sailing boat. We broke the headstay just off Nantucket in about 40 knots; the beginning of a strong low. We put into Marblehead and got a new headstay; restarted and managed to pass several boats.

MY LIFE IN BOATS

I assembled this a few years ago because even I forget some of the boats and events I sailed. Still fond memories; and still making more.

FASTNET RACE AUGUST 2015

Made famous by the 1979 tragedy, however the 1957 race was just as hard. Truly one of my favorite races as there are many tide gates and turns; a real challenge.

THE JOY OF SAILING
THE JOY OF SAILING

needles489snow lion fastnet647mccurdy fastnet260nye fastent522rock407SNOWfastnet rock2804fastnet rock light

FASTNET ROCK
FASTNET ROCK

RORC PARIS DINNER

A dinner of RORC members in France held at the Yacht Club De France. Michael Boyd presided as his first official function since being elected Commodore of the RORC.

Always my favorite club; I was delighted to have the opportunity to be among other members. As many of you know, the RORC and the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Cowes have merged. I was interested to hear more about the future of the club.

I look forward to the Fastnet race this summer after the Transatlantic race which will start in Newport in June.

 

RORC PARIS DINNER AT THE YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE
RORC PARIS DINNER AT THE YACHT CLUB DE FRANCE

IN THE BAR
IN THE BAR

EDDIE WARD OWEN
EDDIE WARD OWEN

THE WOMAN FROM UNCL AND COMMODORE MICHAEL BOYD
THE WOMAN FROM UNCL AND COMMODORE MICHAEL BOYD

DINNER
DINNER

SAILING THROUGH LIFE

This is in response to those who asked:”Who are you?” It is a least a dimension.Boats have always been a part of my life. Naturally interwoven with the story of Newport.

WHERE WERE YOU JULY 20 1969?

 

I was aboard “Carina” having finished the trans-atlantic race to Ireland, we were headed to Cowes for the Admiral’s Cup and Fastnet races. ( The US team won the Admiral’s Cup that year). I remember it being cold and foggy as we huddled around the radio at the nav station to listen the the BBC which stayed on beyond their usual sign-off time of mid-night to carry the news of the moon landing.

I will add that when I returned to the US at the end of the season; my college roommate was coming to pick me up at the airport, when another college friend passed me and asked: “how was Woodstock?”. I replied: “what was Woodstock? I was probably the only one of my generation not to have gone, much less not to be aware of the event.fastnet log 1969 2384 fastnet log 1969 3385

FASTNET ROCK, RICHARD S NYE, STEPHEN LIRAKIS
FASTNET ROCK, RICHARD S NYE, STEPHEN LIRAKIS

EARLY CARINA YEARS

FASTNET ROCK LOG 1969
FASTNET ROCK LOG 1969

BERMUDA RACE 1970
BERMUDA RACE 1970

 

ME CROSSING PROSPECT OF WHITBY
ME CROSSING PROSPECT OF WHITBY

DICK CARTER AND DICK NYE WITH THE ADMIRAL'S CUP 1969
DICK CARTER AND DICK NYE WITH THE ADMIRAL’S CUP 1969

JIM MC CURDY, BODIE RHODES AND FASTNET ROCK
JIM MC CURDY, BODIE RHODES AND FASTNET ROCK

JIM MC CURDY CHASING RAGAMUFFIN
JIM MC CURDY CHASING RAGAMUFFIN

FASTNET ROCK, DICK NYE, ME
FASTNET ROCK, DICK NYE, ME

TULITA HUME IN THE GALLEY
TULITA HUME IN THE GALLEY

SIR MAX ATKIN AND DICK NYE 1969
SIR MAX ATKIN AND DICK NYE 1969

DAUNT LIGHTSHIP 1969
DAUNT LIGHTSHIP 1969

AMERICA WINS THE ADMIRAL'S CUP 1969
AMERICA WINS THE ADMIRAL’S CUP 1969

FASTNET LOG 1971
FASTNET LOG 1971

TRANSATLANTIC RACE 1969
TRANSATLANTIC RACE 1969

BERMUDA RACE 1970
BERMUDA RACE 1970

 

No conversation about ocean racing should ignore “Carina” and the Nyes. Their contribution and  commitment are an indelible benchmark on the history of sailing. A corinthian crew through and through. The memories and stories are many, for those who sailed on the Carina and those who sailed against the Carina.

For me, it was two transatlantic crossings and two Fastnet races, two Admiral’s Cups sandwiching a Bermuda Race win. The boat was designed at a time of change; the end of the CCA and RORC rating rules and the yet unknown IOR rule. Carina has proved to be a durable design.

 

 

ADMIRAL’S CUP

I sailed four admiral’s cups, which in those days included the channel race and the fastnet race. Those memories remain some if the highlights of my sailing.