Dinghy development: Saga sailing

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Saga sailing

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2910
Printed Date: 19 Aug 25 at 4:21am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Saga sailing

Posted By: tickel
Subject: Saga sailing
Date Posted: 30 Apr 07 at 11:51am

Yesterday we sailed 3 races in the venerable old Tasar. We won twice on the water and gained 3 second places on handicap in a gusty wind, probably a 4, on our small lake. At the end of the afternoon it was an effort, but not impossible, to raise a pint to my lips. What interests me is the age of those sailing, us 61 (me) and 54. A 62 year old in a Supernova and a 70 year old, with a teenage crew, in a GP14. We were the only crew not to swim, for once. How old is the oldest person racing boats on a regular basis? There was a wonderfull gentleman racing a Lightning in open races. He was sailing in last years nationals at 83 and is still quick in light stuff. I have heard of a 65 year old racing an RS300 on the circuit. Can anybody top that? Or has any one got any good tales? It is apparent to me that some of the contributors to this forum are very young and it may give them some indications of how much sailing they can look forward to before they shuffle of this mortal coil!

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tickel

Replies:

Posted By: Guest
Date Posted: 30 Apr 07 at 11:54am

We have a chap at Whitstable who sails EVERY race in all conditions in his Laser, he's always helping others pull their boats up the beach ... he's only 80 ...

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Posted By: guytoon
Date Posted: 30 Apr 07 at 12:17pm

We got a past 505 world champion called Marcel Buffet still sailing very well at 84 or so ! He is still able to win a french level with its fiveohh.

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Cherub 2692 "NBS"

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 30 Apr 07 at 12:20pm

The current International Canoe European Champion is in his 60s. The gentleman in question is also top half of fleet in foiler International Moths. There is an Asymettric Canoe sailor in his 70s I believe.

Posted By: Guest
Date Posted: 30 Apr 07 at 12:53pm

The great thing about our sport is that you can remain competitive for many years ... the downside is that because of that there are not many people happy to administer the sport as they'd rather particiapte.

If you think about football or rugby ... by 45 or 50 you'd be not playing so you'd coach, ref or run the club to stay involved ... that dosn't happen in our sport.

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Posted By: tickel
Date Posted: 30 Apr 07 at 1:24pm

I do take your point Rick but many people as they get older sustain injuries or other physical deficiencies which stop them sailing, not necessarily sailing injuries. But the biggest problem is probably lack of enthusiasim or laziness. The " pipe and slippers " syndrome. What interests me is the sailors who fight through this and go on and on.......

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tickel

Posted By: The Moo
Date Posted: 30 Apr 07 at 1:45pm

My old man is 79 this year and races a full rig Laser, but picks his weather.

Posted By: MikeBz
Date Posted: 30 Apr 07 at 5:13pm

Jeremy Pudney was still racing his twin-wire assymmetric I14 in his 60s.

Mike