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As the Spark / Dart 15 / Sprint 15 has been around for forty two years and counting, I thought it would be good to look back at wider sailing achievements each year since 1978. It’s been an interesting journey down sailing memory lane as I have taken in the big events such as Fastnet Race, Olympics, Admirals Cup (remember that?), Clipper Race, Vendee Globe, Whitbread Round the World Race and Jules Verne Tophy. And from 2009, I have added in top rankings from the Sprint 15 sailing year too.
These are featuring as daily posts in our Facebook page, one per day until some distant point in May. So if you don’t already follow our page, please do. It would be great to hear any of your sailing highlights for each of the years too.
But I am missing ideas for 1991, 2007 and 2011 - so if anyone has any suggestions, please get in touch!
And if you are not on facebook, I plan to turn it into an article for the magazine too. And hopefully include any memories that other members share against each year too!
1991 is now sorted courtesy of Brian. But if you have anything interesting for 2007 or 2011 - let me know! And if you follow our facebook page - feel free to add in the comments any sailing memories you have of a given year - it would be great to hear!
Here are the first five years of memories - for those of you not on facebook .......
1978 - The second Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race was completed in 1978. Dutch boat “Flyer” won overall, but UK entry “King’s Legend” came second and British Clare Francis became the first woman to skipper in the race, coming in 5th.
1979 - 1979 will be remembered tragically for the summer storm that ambushed 300 boats competing in the Fastnet race. Sailors found themselves battling for life with dozens of yachts capsized – and despite a huge rescue operation by British, Dutch, Irish and other services, 15 sailors sadly lost their lives. Those of us who go out on the water never underestimate the power of nature.
1980 - The British Sailing Team along with other British competitors did not attend this Olympics. Can you name the host venue?
1981 - The Admiral's Cup, a biennial event for national teams of 3 boats was won by Great Britain and her fleet: Victory of Burnham, Yeoman XXIII and Dragon.
1982 - The third edition of the then Whitbread Round the World Race saw a record entry of 29 yachts and was won by Conny van Reitschoten on Flyer II – unusually, won both line honours and on handicap.
1983: For the first time in 132 years, the America’s Cup was leaving the New York Yacht Club. Australia II was a radically-designed winged keel that gave the 12-Metre Class boat superior speed under most conditions and skippered to victory by John Bertrand. Q: Who was the defeated US Skipper?
1984: Britain won just one Olympic Sailing Medal – Bronze medal went to Jonathan Richards and Peter Allam in the Flying Dutchman. Windsuring for Men was introduced as a new Olympic Class.
Q: What was the host venue?
1985: During the Fastnet race, which Simon Le Bon was using in preparation for the then Whitbread Round the World Race, his 71ft craft Drum broke her keel and capsized off the Cornish coast. Despite some of the crew being trapped in the boat (including Simon himself) all the crew were successfully rescued and Drum went on to complete the Ocean Race.
1986: Following on from his challenges in the Fastnet Race, Simon LeBon and his crew went on to complete in the Whitbread Round the World Race in his 71ft Drum – finishing in a very creditable 4th place.
1987: America’s Cup – Dennis Conner, then representing the San Diego Yacht Club, wrested back the Auld Mug from the Australians. He won the Louis Vuitton Cup to become the Challenger and then delivered a shut-out victory of 4-0
1988: Britain won just one Olympic Sailing Medal – but it was a Gold for Mike McIntyre and Bryn Vaile in the Star. The first women only event was introduced – Women’s 470 Class – to address the low number of female competitors. Q: What was the host venue?
1989: The Whitbread Race saw Tracy Edwards and her all female crew on board Maiden. Together they achieved good results, broke records, led to Edwards becoming the first female winner of the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy, and changed the perception of women in ocean racing.
1990: The first Vendee Globe race concluded this year with only 7 out of the 13 entries completing this mammoth event – won by Titouan Lamazou. Not a British Competitor in sight …..
1991: The Dart 18 Association held its first ever World Championships at Abersoch with an incredible 300 entries. Gareth Owen was on course to win the event but some bloke called Brian Phipps finished in front of him on the last race which handed the Championship Title to Kim Furness and Sarah Powell.
A breezy event with one day of racing cancelled – so everyone went sailing anyway and the footage was captured in a short media film on youtube. Check out that multicoloured sailing gear we all used to wear!
1992: Another light year for British Sailing Olympic medals – in fact, only one again! Bronze medal for Lawrie Smith, Bob Cruikshank and Ossie Stuart in the Flying Dutchman. Windsurfing for Women was introduced as a new Olympic Class. Q: What was the host venue?
1993: The Vendee Globe had a brutal and tragic second race. UK competitor Nigel Burgess was lost at sea during the race and Mike Plant from the US was lost at sea on his way to the start. Only seven competitors completed the race which was won by Alain Gautier.
1994: Two absolute sailing legends – Peter Blake and Robin Knox-Johnston won the Jules Verne Trophy in catamaran ENZA New Zealand – completing the round the world voyage in 74 days 22 hours, 17 minutes and 22 seconds.
1995: America’s Cup – this would be the year of the Kiwi. Led by the fierce determination of Sir Peter Blake and with the steady hand of Russell Coutts on the wheel, New Zealand’s Black Magic dominated the challengers in San Diego, and went on to make short work of the Defenders, taking the America’s Cup back to the Southern Hemisphere.
1996: A bigger and better Olympic year for British Sailing – two medals this time! John Merricks and Ian Walker took Silver in the 470 – and some bloke called Ben Ainslie rocked up and took Silver in the Laser. Never to be heard of again…… Even more excitingly, Paralympic Sailing was introduced as a Demonstration Regatta in the Sonar Keelboat and was won by Andy Cassell, Kevin Curtis, Tony Downs and Ian Harrison. Q: What was the host venue?
1997: A third tumultuous Vendee Globe race hit by heavy weather in the Southern Oceans. Catherine Chabaud became the first female skipper to complete the race. British Sailor Pete Goss earned the Legion d’Honneur after he rescued fellow competitor Raphael Dinelli. Other rescued capsizes included Tony Bullimore, Bertrand de Broc and Thierry Dubois. Tragically, Canadian Gerry Roufs was lost and never found.
1998: Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was won by the crew skippered by British Sailor Alex Thompson who, at the age of just 24, was the youngest sailor to win a round the world yacht race on board Arial. Q: What is the name of Alex’ current Vendee boat?
1999: In the Admiral’s Cup, the British team were leading into to the final race/event but eventually allowed The Netherlands team in for a win. Which they savoured as the Dutch had entered every Admiral’s Cup since 1959 but had only managed 3rd place to date.
In Sprint 15 news: Bob Carter won the summer series with George Carter 2nd. And George was National Champion. (You are going to read that line a lot …)
2000: A much improved medal haul for the British Sailing Team at the Olympics – credited to National Lottery funding enabling the RYA to deliver better funding and supported campaigns for the top sailors. The result was two silver medals – Ian Barker and Simon Hiscocks in the 49er, Ian Walker and Mark Covell in the Star. Plus three gold medals – Ben Ainslie, Laser – Ian Percy, Finn – Shirlie Robertson, Europe. Sailing officially joined the Paralympics in two classes – 2.4mR and Sonar.
In Sprint 15 news: Bob Carter won the summer series with George Carter 2nd. And George was National Champion.
2001: The Vendee Globe had tightened up class rules to address safety issues from previous events. But the event was largely dominated by the stupendous performance of a young British Sailor, Ellen McArthur who came second from a fleet of 24 starters and just a day behind the race winner. She was youngest ever competitor to finish, the fastest woman around the planet—and only the second solo sailor to get around the globe in less than 100 days
In Sprint 15 news: Steve Hanby won the summer series with Bob Carter 2nd. And George Carter was National Champion.
2002: Another year, another round the world record. Bruno Peyron won the Jules Verne Trophy on his Cat Orange in 64 days 8 hours 37 minutes and 24 seconds. Just three years later, he knocked nearly 14 days off that time in the not so imaginatively named Orange II.
In Sprint 15 news: Steve Hanby won the summer series with Bob Carter 2nd. And George Carter was National Champion.
2003: The first Gallantry Medal was awarded to an RNLI Lifeguard – following the introduction of Lifeguards two years earlier. Rod MacDonald, barefoot and wearing just a pair of shorts, clambered down rocks in Newquay to save a swimmer being thrown against the rocks by strong waves and who had lost consciousness. With no rescue equipment to hand, Rod brought the man to shore and gave him first aid until an air ambulance and paramedic arrived – earning a Bronze Medal for Gallantry.
In Sprint 15 news: The Sprint 15 Nationals had to be cancelled as due to strong onshore breezes at Pentewan preventing racing. They were re-run at the Grafham Cat Open in October. Probably the only time our Nationals have taken place in non-tidal waters! Bob Carter won the summer series with George Carter 2nd. And George was National Champion.
2004: Continued success at the 2004 Olympics for the British Sailing Team. Gold for Ben Ainslie in the Finn, Shirlie Robertson, Sarah Ayton & Sarah Webb in the Yngling. Silver for Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield in the 470, Bronze for Nick Dempsey, Windsurfing and Chris Draper and Simon Hiscocks in the 49er. Q: What was the Olympic host venue?
In Sprint 15 News: Bob Carter won the summer series with Paul Smith 2nd. And George was National Champion.
2004: Continued success at the 2004 Olympics for the British Sailing Team. Gold for Ben Ainslie in the Finn, Shirlie Robertson, Sarah Ayton & Sarah Webb in the Yngling. Silver for Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield in the 470, Bronze for Nick Dempsey, Windsurfing and Chris Draper and Simon Hiscocks in the 49er. Q: What was the Olympic host venue?
In Sprint 15 News: Bob Carter won the summer series with Paul Smith 2nd. And George was National Champion.
2005: The Vendee Globe race concluded with another record winning time by the top sailors. British Sailor Mike Golding came third. Another British Sailor, by the name of Alex Thomson unfortunately had to retire due to damage to his boat.
In Sprint 15 news: Bob Carter won the summer series with Paul Smith 2nd. And George was National Champion.
2006: The Clipper 68 yachts had their debut in the 2005–06 race in the first east to west circumnavigation. The boats were all sponsored by international cities for the first time incorporating stops in sponsor cities. The race schedule was significantly altered when Glasgow Clipper reported keel problems in the South China Sea, and diverted to the Philippines, followed by the rest of the fleet that were showing symptoms, causing an enforced six-week stopover.
In Sprint 15 news: Bob Carter won the summer series with Phil Howden 2nd. And George was National Champion.
2007: The 2007 America’s Cup took place in Valencia and unlike previous events – saw a real battle. It took seven races before Alinghi secured a victory over Emirates Team New Zealand. Ben Ainslie has sailed on the NZ training boat as part of the campaign – getting an insight for one of his future projects!
In Sprint 15 news: Kevin Dutch won the summer series with Charles Watson 2nd. And George Carter was National Champion.
2008: A largely light wind Olympic regatta – apart from the Tornado medal race where Leigh MacMillan and Mark Bulkley (originally from Marconi!) gave an absolute master class in sending a Tornado in breezy conditions – check out the footage! An impressive medal haul for the tea. Bronze – Bryony Shaw, Windsurfing. Silver – Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield in the 470. Four Gold medals – Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson, Yngling – Ian Percy and Andrew Simpson, Star, Paul Goodison, Laser and Ben Ainslie, Finn. Q: What was the Olympic host venue?
In Sprint 15 news: Charles Watson won the summer series with Gordon Goldstone 2nd. And George Carter was National Champion.
2009: Vendee Globe saw four British competitors finish the race – Samantha Davies, Brian Thompson, Dee Caffari and Steve White. Mike Golding who had completed the last two races unfortunately had to retire as did fellow British sailor Alex Thompson, for the second race in a row.
In Sprint 15 news: Charles Watson won the summer series with Erling Holmberg 2nd. And Kyle Stoneham was National Champion.
2010: America’s Cup – following much time spent in legal battles – this event ended up being a two boat race without other competitors. Just months before the race, BMW ORACLE Racing replaced its soft sail rig with a towering wing sail – which proved to be superior. Skipper James Spithill, just 30 years old, won with a record of 2-0 against defenders, Alinghi. Once again, the America’s Cup was back in the hands of an American Defender. Q: What was the venue for the America’s Cup?
In Sprint 15 news: Kevin Dutch won the summer series with Erling Holmberg 2nd. And Stuart Snell was National Champion.
2011: The Extreme 40 Sailing Series went truly global – with nine events across the Americas, Asia and Europe. Bringing stadium racing of 40 foot cats in confined spaces to large crowds of sailors and non-sailors alike. Ben Ainslie helmed Oman Air at the three European events and Dean Barker skippered an Emirates Team New Zealand entry as America’s Cup teams eyed the transition across to multi-hulls.
In Sprint 15 news: Erling Homlberg won the summer series with Jon Finch 2nd. And Kevin Dutch was National Champion.
2012: A great medal haul for the British Sailing team at both the Olympics and Paralympics. Gold medals – Ben Ainslie, Finn, Helena Lucas, 2.4m. Silver – Hannah Mills and Saskia Clarke, 470 – Nick Dempsey, Windsurfing – Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell, 470, Ian Percy and Bart Simpson, Star. Bronze – Alexandra Rickham and Nikki Birrell, SKUD.
In Sprint 15 news: Stuart Snell won the summer series with Kevin Dutch 2nd. And Stuart Snell was National Champion.
2013: America’s Cup - the Kiwis built an impressive lead over ORACLE TEAM USA, who couldn’t match the New Zealander’s upwind speed. After making a critical crew change, bringing on Ben Ainslie and making continual modifications to their boat ORACLE TEAM USA turned the tide and began to win races. The gap narrowed and then disappeared. The final race was a microcosm of the match itself. Emirates Team New Zealand had an early lead, but couldn’t fend off the American boat. ORACLE TEAM USA sailed into history, taking the closest match in America’s Cup history, 9-8. Q: What was the host venue for the America’s Cup?
Elsewhere – Alex Thompson’s third attempt at the Vendee Globe resulted in a finish and an impressive third place.
In Sprint 15 news: Paul Grattage won the summer series with Stuart Snell 2nd. And Stuart Snell was National Champion.
2014: Ian Walker set the Round Britain and Ireland record in a monohull in 4d 13h 10m 28s and Sam Davies won the women’s record in 4d 21h 39s
In Sprint 15 news: Paul Grattage won the summer series with Stuart Snell 2nd. And Stuart Snell was National Champion.
2015: The 2015/16 Clipper Race had the first fatalities since the first race in 1996. Tragedy struck twice in separate incidents on board Ichor Coal and despite efforts they could not be saved. Bringing home the enormity of the challenge that Clipper Race competitors and skipper undertake and a stark reminder that the sea is unforgiving.
In Sprint 15 news: Paul Grattage won the summer series with Stuart Snell 2nd. And Paul Grattage was National Champion.
2016: A difficult build up to this Olympics with concerns about water quality/safety and security ashore. Gold – Giles Scott, Finn – Hannah Mills & Saskia Clarke, 470 and Silver – Nick Dempsey, Windsurfing. Q: What was the Olympic host venue?
In Sprint 15 news: Paul Grattage won the summer series with Stuart Snell 2nd. And Sean & Sophie McKenna were National Champions.
2017: A good year for sailing! America’s Cup – the Kiwis fought back and surprised the sailing and America’s Cup world just a few months before the start of the event, by launching a revolutionary boat with ‘cyclors’ powering their AC50 catamaran.
Despite a near catastrophic capsize against Land Rover BAR in the semi finals – they went on to the final heavy weight rematch against Oracle Team USA who started with a 1 point lead. Emirates Team New Zealand’s blew Oracle Team USA away 7-1 to win the America’s Cup for the third time. Q: What was the host venue for the America’s Cup?
Elsewhere, Alex Thompson went on to deliver a nail biting second place finish in the Vendee Globe, close behind winner Armel LeCleach – despite Hugo Boss losing one of its foils early on in the race.
And Francis Joyon set the current world record for sailing round the world on Tri IDEC Sport – completing the Jules Verne trophy in 40 days 23 hours 30 minutes and 30 seconds.
In Sprint 15 news: Paul Grattage won the summer series with Liam Thom 2nd. And Sean & Sophie McKenna were National Champions.
2018: The new Golden Globe race was introduced on the 50th Anniversary of Robin Knox-Johnston’s first solo circumnavigation and required competitors to sail similar yachts and equipment to what was available to Sir Robin in that first race. So without modern technology or satellite based navigation aids. Competitors from countries around the world took part including Susie Goodall from the UK.
A severe storm and other issues took out 13 of the 18 competitors with some extremely nailbiting rescues – including Abhilas Tomy, an Indian Naval captain who was confined to his bunk with a suspected broken back after a capsize and four days from the nearest known help. Fortunately, saved by a French fishing vessel and safely returned home.
Even more amazingly – the winner, Jean-Luc van den Heede from France was the race’s eldest competitor at age 74 in a Rustler 36.
In Sprint 15 news: Our 40th Anniversary year celebrated with an amazing Nationals at Weymouth. Liam Thom won the summer series with Stuart Snell 2nd. And Stuart Snell was National Champion.
2019: Sail GP burst onto the sailing scene – the latest stadium racing format with superfast F50 cats in very confined race courses – making for exciting spectator viewing. Particularly when the fleet visited Cowes in August in very challenging conditions and the kind of pitchpoles that a Sprint 15 sailor can definitely identify with. Two teams were dominant throughout – and the series was eventually taken by Tom Slingsby and Team Australia who beat Nathan Outteridge and Team Japan by just 6 points.
In Sprint 15 news: Paul Grattage won the summer series with Jenny Ball 2nd. And David Ball was National Champion.
And Liam Thom sailed solo around Britain in a Sprint 15 called Biscuit – because it was there and because he could.
