NY 40 Rowdy in collision with 8 Metre; Skipper Killed

[Jon]

This is what I heard at a cocktail party yesterday, and it appears to be true.  Rowdy, which was for years on eBay, was in Cannes for a Classic Yacht Regatta sponsored by the Geneva America's Cup holders.

Rowdy was involved in a collision with an 8 Metre yacht.  From what I've been able to glean from poorly translated reports, Rowdy had the right of way.  The 8 Metre's skipper/owner was killed by the falling mast of his yacht.

Jon

[Jon]

I just read the article in yesterday's Washington Post.  Conditions were pretty windy.  According to the Wooden Boat Magazine site, many of these Classic Yacht collisions are being caused by sailors from modern racing machines crewing on old boats.

The 8 Metre, on Port tack, tried to duck under Rowdy's stern.  But when she cleared Rowdy's wind-shadow and got hit with the puff, she did what all old boats with big mains and little jibs do: popped up into the wind!

On the typical modern boat with itty-bitty mains and big jibs it's easy to duck under, but fool hardy in an old boat unless your crew is ready to pay-off the main.

Rowdy, by the way only suffered a broken bowsprit.  The 8 Metre was smashed on the rocks on an adjacent island.

Jon

[Steve]

I heard this as well ... absoultely tragic.  There has been quite a bit if this lately ... e.g. Amorita.