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.
Category: fastnet race
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.
CARINA, THE EARLY YEARS
A story behind every photo. In fact so many stories
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.
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.
EARLY CARINA YEARS
- 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.