SAILORS who took part in the original Ocean Global Race 50 years ago joined crews preparing to sail around the world in just a few days time.
Eighty-three veterans from the Whitbread Round the World Race, representing 38 Whitbread boats, relived their memories at the special anniversary reunion on Tuesday.
This Sunday more than 200 sailors will depart from Ocean Village onboard 14 yachts to complete a 27,000-mile race around the world which will keep them at sea for eight months.
The emotional reunion saw veterans catch up with old sailing friends and former rivals.
The evening saw Barry Pickthall, the former yachting correspondent for The Times newspaper who covered every Whitbread race, welcome Ocean Global Race patron, Sir Chay Blyth, who skippered Great Britain II in the first Whitbread.
Mr Blyth said: “It’s a fantastic evening and I’m amazed that after 50 years all these people are here. A great, great evening of long-lost friends, having a few beers together.”
On Thursday, a press conference saw all sailors receive advice from veterans and event organiser, Don McIntyre.
He said: “The race is starting in a couple of days and the atmosphere is really good. Nobody knows what is going to happen but it’s going to be amazing.
“It’s going to be a very exciting journey for you all. We will be watching something really special.
“You will question yourself and will get to the stage that you will think yourself why you’re there but the OGR is all about life-defining moments so just enjoy the ride.”
South African sailor Gerrit Loan spoke to the Echo about the preparations leading up to the race.
He said: “It’s very tough if you work with a small budget but we have a great crew. We are very well prepared and we were the first boat to complete the safety inspections.
“Everyone has been very helpful in sharing knowledge and tools in whatever we need.
"There is a very good atmosphere on the dock and spending a lot of time together, so it has been really good.”
Aasked how he felt about the eight-month journey and whether the team were nervous, he said: “I haven’t been thinking about that at all, we have done everything we can and we’re just going to leave and see what happens.”
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