The club is alive with senior members today,in preparation for the Texan grille nite! I had the great good fortune to meet George Pike, ex commodore NYC.
George is our link with the history of 4 great races, in the early 70's Jerry Cartwright completed the ostar and in subsequent discussion conceived the Bermuda 1-2 race, based in Goat island YC (GIYC).
The 600 miles to Bermuda is sailed solo and the return leg is 2 handed,the first edition was raced in 1977 and repeats every 2 years since, the current edition return race sets out today 19th if weather allows. Over 30 boats are competing including class 40 and mini transat classes.
The link with race history developed when David Wjhite suggested a longer race and supported by Francis Stokes. The round the world race was born in GIYC. Richard Broad head had secured sponsioship from BOC uk and they took over title sponsorship with RKJ as race director. So, the BOC race was born, Phillip Jeantot won 2 later editions in his radical Credit Agricole mono hulls.
And from there it is just a short step to Jeantot's development of the non stop around the world race we know as the Vendee Globe. All from Ostar! And all in an area where single handed racing is very rare.
The key to ther Bermuda 1-2 enduring success is the 2 year cycle and its rarity value, along witht exotic destination.
2 handeers often go on to sail the race solo in subsequent editions.
I am thinking of a 1-2 format race in the UK? Perhaps Mylor to Kinsale solo, Kinsale to Lymington en double,
It could be done in a one week slot? Via Fastnet it could be the Fastnet 1-2?
Discuss?
Jerry
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Great idea Jerry
Great idea Jerry