Disappointing British results, intense security measures and unpredictable winds for the 1976 Olympic Games in Canada. Original YW archive scans tell the story
Not only did Britain have to compete with winds that were extremely unusual for Lake Ontario, (which normally boasts steady lake breezes of 15-20knots), but they had to deal with security measures which meant, for the most part, staying behind bars.
Perhaps as a result of these issues the favourite David Howlett, (Ben Ainsle’s current coach) had a disappointing set of results leaving him overall in just 7th. Similarly, Phil Crebbin and Derek Clark in the 470’s showed some promising results but finished in 6th place by the end of the regatta.
However it was not all bad news, although the favourites in the British team did not succeed in winning a medal, Britain still managed to achieve one Gold and one Silver medal. As well as this, Britain won eight races, more than any other competing nation.
If nothing else, 1976 reminds us that even the favourites can make costly mistakes.
Yachting World has covered every Olympics since the first in 1896. As part of our build up to the 2012 Games we delve into our archives to take a look back at how Yachting World reported some of the key events in the history of the sailing Olympics.
Remember Colvic Craft, the Achilles and the Fisher Range and when stopwatches were the real deal? We also take a look at some of the other topics of the time, while browsing some of the ads of the era.
Our exclusive mini series, only available online, draws on Yachting World’s extensive archive of original reports and makes compulsive reading.
Simply click on the links to download our pdf scans of the original YW features.
Disappointing British results, intense security measures and unpredictable winds
Remember Colvic Craft, the Achilles and the Fisher Range and when stopwatches were the real deal?
Nothing dates quicker than glimpse of the future!