Rival Owners Association
A brief History of the Azores and Back (AZAB) and Rival entries
The first British long-distance yacht race for solo sailors was the Single-handed Transatlantic Race which reputedly grew out of a half-crown wager and was first held in 1968. Just four yachts left Plymouth, all of which reached New York safely. The winner was Sir Francis Chichester in Gypsy Moth II.
Sponsorship from the Observer and news from that paper resulted in the name OSTAR being coined. This has stuck, much to the irritation of subsequent sponsors. Since then the race has taken place every four years, with 1981 seeing the first two-handed event. Around 100 yachts left Plymouth, this time for Newport Rhode Island.
However, for many yachtsmen, taking part in a transatlantic race is an impossible dream. Costs are high and three months or so are needed to prepare the boat, compete, and then bring her home. In 1972 Chris Smith wrote a letter to Yachting World magazine suggesting that a shorter solo ocean race should be held. Following this, editor Andrew Bray met with the late Spud Spedding, and Colin Drummond of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, with the result that the RCYC agreed to host the British end. The Azores archipelago was picked as an ideal destination – distant enough to provide a real challenge within a four to six week time limit whilst at the same time being distinctly “foreign” on arrival, with a course well clear of major shipping lanes.
The first AZAB took place in 1975 with 52 starters. With such a turnout, and many competitors clamouring for a repeat event, it was decided to follow OSTAR and hold AZAB every four years. The second race in 1979 accepted two-handed as well as single-handed entries – an obviously popular decision as by 1999 around 90% of the entrants were two-handed.
The course covers just under 2,500 miles of ocean – approximately 1220 on each leg from Falmouth to Ponta Delgada (on the island of San Miguel) and back. The majority of yachts usually take between 7 and 10 days to reach the Azores, allowing a week or so to relax, restock, and enjoy the wonderful hospitality laid on by the Clube Naval de Ponta Delgada.
There has been at least one Rival or Bowman yacht in every AZAB, with a record nine boats in 1979.
Now the 2007 race beckons. It starts on 2nd June from Falmouth. Will there be another Rival or two continuing this pattern? They are of course perfect long-distance boats for this type of sailing. Notice of Race, Rules and Conditions from Mrs Anne Thomas, AZAB 2007, Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, Greenbank, Falmouth TR11 2SP, amthomas#supanet.com or from the website: www.azab.co.uk
If you are interested but are not sure if you are up to the challenge, why not plan to do your 500-mile non-stop qualifying passage with your chosen crew next year? Quite apart from being a key requirement for every entrant, it will tell you whether or not this event is for you.
1975:
Rivalry 31 David Ashwin
Meinwen 32 Peter Evans
Moneve 32 D J Mauchel
Wild Rival 34 Mervyn Wheatley
1979:
Moneve 32 D J Mauchel
Roo 32 J Chaundy
Bovis Bird 32 A T Brackstone
Dee Rival 32 D Melton
Lady Dona 34 Peter ter Laag
Wild Rival 34 Mrs K M Hampton
Malaprop 34 I N Reynard
Hajji Baba 34 T Wolff-Metternich
Lone Rival 38 G Hales
1983:
Plunder 32 B A Hall/Miss A Henderson
B A Hall/Miss C Brouet-Menzies
Bird 32 D M Wilson
Lady Dona 34 Peter ter Laag
Unrivalled 34 A J Groves/R J Morse
Adfin's Rival 38a G Adams/S Murdoch
1987:
Largo 32 John Passmore
Lady Dona 36 Peter ter Laag
1991:
Chicane Bowman 49 B. Wells/B.Sanders
Largo 32 John Passmore
Villager 34 E. Collier/J Collier
1995:
Haigri 38 Mervyn Wheatley
Raasay of Melfort 34 Brian Coad/Peter Coad
Rival Spirit 36 Ian Addis/Vivien Addis
Raasay of Melfort 34 Brian Coad/Peter Coad
Safe Arrival 32 Dave Butters/Paul Coley
Samphire of Yealm David Southwood/Frank Dunne
Frank Dunne/Sebastian Southwood
2003:
Rivalee Bob Hudson/Geoffrey Dover
Information kindly provided by Brian Alexander