Overdue yachtsman finishes solo race

Press, 27 July 1976, Page 30

Overdue yachtsman finishes solo race

N'ZPA London The lone New Zealand yachtsman, Rodney Kendall, long overdue in the 1971' “Observer” singlehanded Atlantic race has arrived in Newport. Rhode island, only hours before the official end of the race. Kendall, in his seven metre yacht “Songeur” had been unsighted since he sailed from Plymouth on June 5 and had been causing concern for the race organisers. When Kendall finally crossed the finishing line he was logged in seventieth place over all. The organisers of the race are worried about 11 competitors who were still unheard of when the race officially ended at midnight on Sunday (British summer time). Six Britons, two Atneri-

cans, a Canadian, a Dutchman, and a Frenchman are still somewhere at sea. Three of them have given no radio reports since June 5 and have not been sighted. The list includes a Briton, Mike McMullen, in his trimaran “Three Cheers,” which was expected to be one of the fastest boats In the race. There is much concern for McMullen’s safety' now. but as there are no reports of his yacht being found, or wreckage seen, it is still possible that he is -rill plodding along under jury rig somewhere in the Atlantic. McMullen’s wife died from an electric shock in an accident aboard his boat just before he set out. All hope is not given up, however, as the slowest ever competitor, i French-

man, Jean Lacombe, took 74 days to cross the Atlantic in the 1960 race. Another New Zealander in the race was John Mansell, in his eight metre yacht “Innovator of Mana.”

Mansell finished in 35 days. 12 hours and 25 minutes, thirty-fourth over all. Seventy boats completed the race, 20 of the smaller competitors finishing in the past week. Australia’s lone entry in the race, which is organised by the Royal Western Yacht Club of England, was Bill Howell, who finished twenty-second over all.

Howel], in his 13m catamaran “Tahiti Bill,” crossed the finishing line 32 days, five hours and 19 minutes after he sailed from Plymouth Harbour.