Category: carina

CARINA FINISHES THE SYDNEY-HOBART

“Carina” finished 2011 by competing in the Sydney-Hobart race; a journey that started in June with the transatlantic race to England, the Fastnet race; and the kids sailing the boat to Australia in time for the race.

Naturally when I pause to think of the wonderful adventure 2011 brought to them I reflect on my own small adventures. The Transtalantic race aboard “Snow Lion”. I have sailed with most of the crew on both boats for great distances and keep many fond memories.

NEW YEAR’S EVE IN PARIS

CHAMPS ELYSEES BEFORE CLOSING IT TO TRAFFIC

 

2011 and two grandchildren

NOT APRIL FOOL’S

I stumbled across this photo while looking for something entirely different. ( I have over one hundred thousand negatives spanning almost 50 years) I have been scanning and correcting images for several years now. It is a slow tedious process. There are photos which I still have not found that I know I have safely somewhere. I found an image a few days ago I had been searching for, for easily two years.

Back to this photo taken approaching the finish of the 1969 transatlantic race from Newport, RI to Cork, Ireland. That is Daunt Lightship on the bow of “Carina”, our finish. Richard B. Nye trimming the spinnaker. Finding this photo made me wish I had similar ones for each race I had sailed.

NATIONAL SAILING HALL OF FAME

The National Sailing Hall of Fame has taken a while to get launched. Let’s hope it takes a healthy direction. We can all think a a number of worthy potential inductees. For Ocean Racing, I will be proposing Dick Nye Sr. of “Carina” fame.  His accomplishments even without the context of time stand out.

more Carina memories, the big mouth frog.


In 1971, I was preparing “Carina” for another trans-atlantic crossing to Cowes for the Admiral’s Cup. “Carina” was again part of the 3 boat team representing the United States.

I had “Carina” tied to the dock at Indian Harbour Yacht Club; a man approached me saying he had these things, cold light, recently invented by him, and he was not yet sure what they would be useful for. He gave me some for the trip asking if I/we could provide feedback to him about possible uses.
As we all know today cylume is so big and commonplace that no one probably asks where they came from or when.
During the crossing, we mostly played with them, for amusement. I did use one while working on a leak in the compressor for the refrigeration, but really because it was available.

1971 Trans-Atlantic

In 1971 we sailed “Carina” first to Harwichport, on Cape Cod. David Steere, the owner of “Yankee Girl” (sistership to Charisma”) gave a large party for all involved inviting astronauts as guests of honor. The next morning very early, to catch the tide. We left, after a late night. “American Eagle”, Yankee Girl” and Carina” We took a more northerly route. and made a very quick crossing, 14 days. beating the other boats by a day. They had taken a more southerly, warmer route. In fact, I have never beaten this time, in a race.

I had purchased a BB gun and hid it on the boat. I would take the cans and glass out of the garbage, throw it over the side and shoot at it as it trailed off astern. I am not sure the English Customs would have taken to the idea of the gun, even a BB gun arriving in England.


BERMUDA RACE 1970

As I continue to “mine” my papers and photographs, new material comes to light. I have previously written about my “Carina” years and the Nye family. Not enough can be said about their involvement in yachting. Here are copies of the Bermuda newspaper after our win. and a photo of Bodie Rhodes and one of his daughters Robin.

I do not appear in many photos, so this is unusual. I will also mention, if I did not before. We rounded Argus tower ahead of “Ondine”(73 foot Tripp design) boat for boat.

Admiral’s cup 1969

1969 was my first Admiral’s Cup and first Fastnet Race. The Admiral’s Cup team: Carina, Palawan, and Red Rooster. The Dick Carter designed Red Rooster was chosen for the team before she hit the water. It proved to be a good choice.

This is also the first time I met Syd Fisher owner of a long line of boats called “Ragamuffin”
this one being a 49 foot S&S design. As Carina was approximately the same size we were tasked with covering Ragamuffin. I had never encountered a boat as well sailed as Ragamuffin.
Racing was under the RORC rule, used in almost every country except the United States, where we sailed under the CCA rule. 1969 was the year that the IOR rule would replace both older rules. “Carina” had been launched in the spring of 1969 and the IOR was not yet published. McCurdy and Rhodes had been tasked to design a boat that would rate fairly under any rule. (Many of you may be familiar with “Carina” as she is still winning race today 40 years later.)
The United States team scored well enough to win the Cup. the photo shows Max Atkin and Dick Nye holding the cup. The black and white photo is at the prize awarding in Plymouth at the finish of the Fastnet Race,if you look closely you will notice Ted Turner, Dick Cater, Alan Paul Hope Kirkpatrick in the picture.
The Fastnet race became one of my favorite races; although I have only completed 5 .