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.

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

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.

DICK CARTER SPEAKS

Yesterday I had the pleasure to listen to Dick Carter talk about the past. Some of which I was present for; in particular the 1969 Admiral’s Cup, in which Red Rooster was the overall winner of the Fastnet Race which secured a team win for the United States.

ADMIRAL’S CUPS 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975
DICK CARTER AND THE LINES OF RED ROOSETER
DICK WITH SOME OF THE CREW OF RABBIT

ZENE BLISS NAVIGATOR FOR DICK
DICK CARTER, DICK NYE AND THE ADMIRAL’S CUP
DICK CARTER AND RED ROOSTER

WEALD II TRANSATLANTIC RACE 1975

THE TRANSATLANTIC RACE OF 1975 STARTED IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND FINISHING IN COWES IOW. WEALD WAS A SWAN 48 DESIGNED BY S&S. A BOAT IN MY OPINION THAT WAS FASTER THAN “CARINA” IN THAT ERA.

THIS WAS ONE OF 9 TRANSATLANTIC RACES I HAVE COMPETED IN. EACH WITH IT’S OWN SPECIAL MEMORIES. ADDITIONALLY AN EXCEPTIONAL PRIVILEGE TO COMMUNE WITH NATURE IN A WAY PERMITTED TO ONLY A FEW.

 

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.

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