Age and maturity came to the fore in the annual Ancient Mariners' Race held by the Royal Southern Yacht Club on October 6th. The format demanded that no one under 40 years old could enter with the skipper needing to be at least 60. Basically, the older the average age of the team, the more advantageous was the boat's handicap.

The only under 40 involved, Race Officer Kim Vasey, sent the fleet on a short, sharp, round-the-cans course in the central Solent.

The winner was John Noe's "La Nef" helmed by 80 year old Bill Davidson. John and Ann Arscott in "Macavity" came third with John Davys' "Naivasha" third.