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RAOC Gazette - page 105

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Corps RAOC
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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1981
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Early date 1981
Late date 1981
Transcription THUNDERER COMPLETES THE
OBSERVER TRANSATLANTIC RACE
AFTER leaving Plymouth, looking so very smalt among the
one hundred and twelve starters in The Observer Double-
handed Transatlantic Race, the Corps yacht Thunderer RAOC
arrived at Newport Rhode Island a very creditable seventh in
her class.
It is understood that she was the only Service yacht in the
three thousand mile race. Crossing the North Atlantic under
sail is hardly a pleasure trip at any time, in any craft, but the
conditions experienced this year ended the hopes of many famous
competitors in a race won in the record shattering time of
fourteen days fourteen hours by Chay Blyth and Rob James in
their sixty five foot trimaran Brittany Ferries GB.
Hoe who finished well inside the time allowed for their class
are to be congratulated on their fine performance. We loot
forward to their story when it is committed to paper.
Thunderer is to make three passages off the Atlantic Coast
of the USA and then return home via the Azores as follows:—
Rhode Island—Norfolk Va—10th July to 24th July; Norfolk
Va- Norfolk Va 24th July to 7th August; Norfolk Va—Rhode
Island 7th August to l i s t August; Rhode Island—Azores 2lst
August to 16th September; Azores—Gibraltar 16th September
to 4th October; Gibraltar—UK 4th October to 31st October.
Our crew, comprising Major John Ross and Captain Carl
On each leg she will have a fresh all rank six man crew
and we also look forward to reports from them when Thunderer
arrives back in UK late in October.
The actual start of the race from Plymouth in rough weather.
The Corps entry is arrowed in the centre of the photograph.
(See also pages 86 and 87.)
— 82
Book number R0250