The pioneers of global ocean racing?

[capnsensible]

The Whitbread round the world race - Yachting World

These were the people that kick started my interests in messing about in boats. ??

 

[Biggles Wader]

I was in Auckland when the 1977 race was there. I cant remember much about it for some reason.

 

[newtothis]

I was in Auckland when the 1977 race was there. I cant remember much about it for some reason.

NZ didn't have a very memorable 70s. I was there for the whole decade. The highlights were the Commonwealth Games and the launch of a second TV channel.

 

[Frogmogman]

The Corinthian spirit that imbued the first two Whitbread races was fabulous. The race became progressively more professional and serious. I hope that the Ocean Globe event in 2023 will manage in some way to recreate the ethos of the early events (by that, I don't include the part about crews losing their lives).

 

[capnsensible]

If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here.......?

 

[matt1]

Remember rowing past Ceramco moored off Mercury Marina after the race and seeing a very foggy start from Portsmouth as a kid (1977?). I think that's why I'm addicted to the Vendee - it has the same spirit as the original Whitbread (but on steroids). I have no interest in the Ocean Race as it's route has become a glorified sponsorship "tour" that has lost a lot of its "pure spirit". I've met Chay Blythe, Mike Golding and Alex Thompson but would have loved to have met Peter Blake - my all time sailing hero. Such a loss

 

[Frogmogman]

Remember rowing past Ceramco moored off Mercury Marina after the race and seeing a very foggy start from Portsmouth as a kid (1977?). I think that's why I'm addicted to the Vendee - it has the same spirit as the original Whitbread (but on steroids). I have no interest in the Ocean Race as it's route has become a glorified sponsorship "tour" that has lost a lot of its "pure spirit". I've met Chay Blythe, Mike Golding and Alex Thompson but would have loved to have met Peter Blake - my all time sailing hero. Such a loss

A real tragedy, as you say, such a massive loss.

I did have the pleasure and honour of Meeting Sir Peter Blake when we took FCF Challenger (renamed Stevens Lefield Challenger for the race) down to Plymouth for the start of the 1982 Round Britain Race, which Les Williams did with Bob Fisher. Peter, who was competing IIRC in the race with Robin Knox Johnson on Sea Falcon, came on board for a beer with Les. He was delightful.

 

[Sharky34]

The Whitbread round the world race - Yachting World

These were the people that kick started my interests in messing about in boats. ??

How about my mate, Richard Broadhead?
Knox-Johnston and his proteges - Practical Boat Owner

 

[E39mad]

30 years ago when I first started working at Northshore, there was a chap who worked there called Roy Mullender who sailed on the some the legs on the first Whitbread with the Navy who he worked for at the time. Fascinating to talk to. Nic 55 was the boat they went round on.

I was on the Hamble prior to finishing college and working as a broker for Ancasta for a year whilst the 1989/90 Whitbread boats prepared and returned. I met Sir Peter Blake to ask him to sign a photo that I took when Steinlager crossed the line. He graciously obliged. The look on peoples faces when Fazisi turned up was incredible. Seem to remember Streinlager had a beer tent erected down at Port Hamble/Hamble Yacht Services. Had a couple of friends go round on Creightons Naturally. Great times.

 

[michael_w]

Going out to see the start on the 1997-1998 version in my Merlin-Rocket. Apart from the competitors, we were the only other sail driven boat out there. I vividly remember sitting on the transom as we plunged down a backless wake created wave, thinking If we lose it now we'll be mincemeat from all the propellers. Buried her up to the mast, but somehow stayed upright. Fun times.

 

[DJE]

Going out to see the start on the 1997-1998 version in my Merlin-Rocket. Apart from the competitors, we were the only other sail driven boat out there. I vividly remember sitting on the transom as we plunged down a backless wake created wave, thinking If we lose it now we'll be mincemeat from all the propellers. Buried her up to the mast, but somehow stayed upright. Fun times.

Went out to see the 1985 and 1989 starts in a Wayfarer dinghy. Mad scrum of motor boats as you describe and then the police launch charging down the edge of the spectator fleet with one continuous blast on its horn trying to keep us out of the way of the race fleet. Got a somewhat closer view of Fazisi than I intended.

 

[Ningaloo]

As a very young child, and of an age where all my peers supported a football team, I awaited the Sunday papers which brought news of the OSTAR with great excitement. In the early days it was sponsored by the Observer newspaper. My heros (and heroines - remember Clair Francis?) were the skippers, even though the closest I had been to a boat was reading Arthur Ransom. I never dreamed that I would ever own a boat and cross oceans myself.
The French might dominate solo ocean racing (even back in the 60's) but they didn't invent it!

 

[Slowboat35]

Surely the pioneers of global ocean racing were these guys, the tea and grain clippers?