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 .
Hi Stephen,
I’m interested in speaking to you about the admirals cup 1969. I’m the current owner of a Camper & Nicholson that raced that year for France. Boat’s name is Pacha. I’m sailing her out to Europe from Australia to sail and race her again in Europe. Would love to hear from you.
Regards,
Mike Seargent