royal yacht squadron – stephenlirakis.com

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

DRIVING A TRUCK

The 2005 Transatlantic race was organized for “big” boats. I sailed aboard “Tempest” the 80 foot ketch, around 125,000 lbs of displacement designed by Sparkman & Stephens; the second smallest boat in the race. I liked to tease that I earned my Chauffeurs license (driving an 18 wheeler). We were allowed help from off the boat, which meant we had a router; Pierre, was in Grenoble behind a computer and he really steered the boat. We won our class and I do not remember our overall position. Actually a great boat to sail, very sea-kindly. The finish was off the needles on the Isle of Wight. We finished in just under 14 days, I believe.

TEMPEST 2005

THE AMERICA’S CUP JUBILEE

I had the great privilege to sail “Columbia” the first twelve meter to defend the America’s Cup in 1958. at the America’s Cup Jubilee. There were 38 twelve meters there. This was a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the America’s Cup.

The idea of the Royal Yacht Squadron, from my prospective it exceeded all expectations. It was an endless parade of yachts each more beautiful and graceful the the next.

CARINA, THE EARLY YEARS

A story behind every photo. In fact so many stories

EARLY CARINA YEARS

FASTNET ROCK LOG 1969

BERMUDA RACE 1970

FASTNET ROCK LOG 1969

BERMUDA RACE 1970

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

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

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.

A tradition of restricted male only membership dating back almost 200 years has been swept aside by the Royal Yacht Squadron on the Isle of Wight after the membership voted to allow women in as full members

Sign of the times: After 198 years Royal Yacht Squadron votes to allow women as full members

By Kate Laven

12:26PM BST 05 Aug 2013

A meeting on Sunday, attended by 150 of the 475 members, voted unanimously in favour of the motion to extend membership privileges to women. There was not a single vote in opposition though the decision still has to be ratified by the full membership.

Officials at the Squadron, which is housed in a grand castle in Cowes and billed as one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world, said they had been lobbying members on the issue of women’s membership for four years before yesterday’s ballot.

There was no announcement from the RYS which established their ‘gentlemen only’ membership in 1815 when the club was founded and the club declined to comment.

Even lady associate members, the wives of existing full members, who were not eligible to vote, were unaware of this dramatic change of policy.

RYS invites candidates to join but the only known criteria for membership is an active interest in sailing.

   With each new challenge the design race increased. “Constellation” the newest Sparkman&Stephens design was only second best entering the August trails. “American Eagle” the Bill Luders design and build, was up 21 and zero, appearing unbeatable and in the difficult position of not having lost a race; not knowing what if anything to change.
   Eric Ridder stepped aside as skipper of “Connie”being replaced by Bob Bavier. Along with a few other changes and she went on to be selected to defend. Leaving Bill Cox the skipper of “American Eagle” stunned.
   The American trials were the highlight of the summer, the English challenger “Sovereign” was hopelessly outclassed.
   Olin Stephens, I believed, liked to make small incremental changes, As the season of 1967 would show; “Constellation” exhibited some of the genes that would become “Intrepid”.
   The energy and enthusiasm ratcheted up with each challenge. The world was emerging from World War II, coupled with that was the easing of Taxes on the rich. America was truly on top of the world; and feeling that way.
   There are more stories connected with the summer of 1964 and this challenge deserves more time.