From The Archives: Sally, Twelves, Jimmy

Here are some moments in sailing history stored in the Scuttlebutt archives…

5 years ago: You could say that Sally Barkow has been taking steps toward the Volvo Ocean Race all her life. Now 34 years old, her road from learning to sail on scows in Wisconsin would take her to the international Olympic and match race circuit, with her successes earning her the US Rolex Yachtswomen of the Year award in 2005 and 2007.

After competing for the US team in the keelboat event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and missing out on the match racing event at the 2012 Games, the next step, albeit a big step, was offshore racing. When Team SCA proposed an all-women’s crew for the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race, Sally answered the call. (Scuttlebutt 4179)

10 years ago: While history didn’t quite repeat itself today, it came pretty close. The final races of the 2009 12 Metre World Championships were sailed on a sparkling Rhode Island Sound as helicopters buzzed and spectator boats jockeyed for front row seats to the action – evoking memories of 26 years ago to the day when the longest winning streak (132 years) in sporting history ended with the loss of the “Auld Mug” to Australia. On this day, however, instead of just two Twelves there were 17 making their way around the old America’s Cup stomping grounds off Brenton Point and with many of the same spectators there to pay homage as the helicopters droned above. (Scuttlebutt 2938)

15 years ago: Australian James Spithill will be Luna Rossa’s helmsman for the Italian syndicate’s challenge at the 2007 America’s Cup sailing race in Valencia. Francesco De Angelis, the technical director of team Luna Rossa who skippered the Prada challenge in the two last America’s Cup regattas, announced Spithill’s appointment at a press conference in the port city of Genoa. The 24-year-old Australian, a former helmsman of challenger Seattle OneWorld in the last edition of the trophy won by Switzerland’s Alinghi, is considered the world’s No. 2 match-race sailor and heir to the crown of New Zealander Russell Coutts. (Scuttlebutt 1676)