OK, all you singlehanded aficionados, this little history lesson will lead directly to a trivia quiz involving a current and active SSS Forum contributor as well as something you probably never knew. In addition, your answer, right or wrong, may send us over 5 million reads in 12 years of observations
The year was 1964. And the second OSTAR (Observer Singlehanded Transatlantic Race) was the launch pad for one of the most influential figures in the history of single-handed sailing, the development of sailing as a sport in France and in offshore race boat design. In 1960 Francis Chichester had managed the crossing in 40 days, then a 32 year-old French naval lieutenant Eric Tabarly won the 1964 race taking just 27 days aboard his 44ft ketch PEN DUICK II.
A total of seventeen yachtsmen entered the race. All those who sailed in the first race were back again, though only Francis Chichester and Blondie Hasler were sailing the same boats. Val Howells sailed a 35 foot steel cutter, AKKA, a production yacht he was delivering to America; David Lewis switched to a catamaran REHU MOANA, one of three multihulls in the race; and Jean Lacombe had moved from the 21 foot Cap Horn to his new 22 foot glass fibre sloop GOLIF. Mike Ellison, who failed to start in the first race, was back in a larger boat ILALA (36 ft).
Two yachts were unable to compete: Arthur Piver was unable to deliver his trimaran from the US in time and so missed his second OSTAR; Charles McLendon, an American living in London, suffered a fire on his 48’ ketch MORNA – which would have been the largest boat in the race.
Two changes were introduced for the second race: the finish line was switched from New York to Newport, Rhode Island, so the competitors could avoid marine traffic at New York; and a prize was awarded for fastest monohull on corrected time (using a handicap based on waterline length).
Two events occurred that were to be repeated in future races – two collisions, one with a spectator boat and another with a whale. Val Howells (AKKA) was rammed by a spectator boat after the start and had to return for repairs. Five days out while contesting for second place a few miles behind Tabarly, Derek Kelsall (FOLATRE) struck what he presumed was a whale, damaging a rudder and daggerboard. He returned to Plymouth for repairs then restarted finishing a creditable 34 days later.
Publicity from the first OSTAR turned the second race into a media circus with a number of the 15 competitors signed up by national newspapers to provide regular progress reports by radio. The crowds at the start brought about the first collision between a spectator boat and a competitor, Val Howells, who had to return for repairs.
Tabarly, the only Frenchman in the race, was the sailor’s favorite with the advantage of sailing the largest boat and the only one purpose-built for the event. He had also carried out an in-depth study of the weather and physically was very fit. On a route close to the Great Circle and without the strong storms that had characterized the first edition, he reached Newport three days before Francis Chichester.
Arriving in Newport, Rhode Island, Tabarly had no prior knowledge of his win – he had not used his radio during the race – and almost as a passing comment let slip that his self-steering system had only worked for the first 8 days of the 27 days it took him to complete the course.
At a depressed time in France, Tabarly became an overnight hero and for his endeavor was presented with his country’s highest honor, the Legion d’Honneur, by President de Gaulle. France’s love affair with solo offshore racing had begun.
Well after the completion of this solo epic, our illustrious SSS member and commentator ended up owning one of these historical vessels. Who is this personage, what boat did he buy, and what relic(s) did he find aboard from the 1964 OSTAR?
1) GYPSY MOTH, and found a gallon of moldy Brussel sprout seeds and a keg of Guinness Stout under the forward bunk 2) JESTER, and found a spare perspex hatch turret in the lazarette that was later donated to a SHTP winner for his companionway hatch. 3) FOLATRE, which was a 35' Piver Lodestar trimaran finished from a bare hull by Derek Kelsall. Aboard FOLATRE was a mounted head of an Oryx. 4) Tabarley's winning PEN DUICK II, aboard which was found a hollow keel filled with French military expended uranium ammunition shells 5) the catamaran REHU MOANA, aboard which was found a hand written, rough draft, ozaloid copy of David Lewis's
We the Navigators It smelled strongly of ammonia
6) AKKA, while undergoing refit, was found to have onboard a tin of Fray Bentos Steak and Kidney Pie from the 1964 OSTAR that had fallen behind some forward interior framework. The mummified remains were hand delivered to Val Howells in Wales by the new owner. Howells, the consummate raconteur, verified the pie's authenticity and commented that "it had not aged well."
Anyone want to try? Hint: the owner of the boat in question has a significant relationship with the 3 Bridge Fiasco. A box of Trader Joe's Lemon Bars in addition to the usual Marinanne's Macapuno for first correct response. Give it a go!
Sleddog hanging with Sir Thomas Lipton at CYC
