Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine 2019 728x90

The oldest video footage of Weymouth Speed Week

by Magnus Smith 27 Oct 2024 12:00 UTC
A revealing picture of an early version of Icarus, when although the boat could foil, the speeds were scarcely any faster than that of a standard Tornado © Austin Farrar Collection / David Chivers

With the 2024 edition of Weymouth Speed Week under way - and still bringing many to the UK's south coast in search of 30 knots, 40 knots, 50 knots - let us look back into the video archives for the most advanced designs of yesteryear! There are two boat names you will see cropping up repeatedly...

It's great that we can see footage from the first ever event - 1972 - with 'Icarus' and 'Crossbow'.

Also from 1972 and - we think - from Weymouth, is the Flying Proa.

1973 - with C class cats and 'Crossbow'.

1977 - with 'Crossbow', 'British Oxygen', plus Tornado and Unicorn cats.

1981 - all windsurfers.

1985 - with a triple windsurfer, and 'Icarus'.

We don't know the exact year of this last video, so let's end with a guessing game, and a wonderful musical number to accompany it! 1970s? 1980s? 1990s?.

What of the rest?

Do you know the location of any other videos about sailing record attempts, from the time before videos went digital? We would love to share these with sailors worldwide. You can submit video links for immediate review.

Keep watching with:

Weymouth Speed Week 2022: Icarus - photo © Pete Davis
Weymouth Speed Week 2022 - 'Icarus' still at it - photo © Pete Davis

Related Articles

A look inside the Spirit Yachts yard
A close look at what makes their yachts unique Traditional skills in boatbuilding could be regarded as a lost art from a bygone era. In the world of fibreglass and carbon, the joinery and laminating techniques of wood ribs and cedar strips are a thing of the past. Posted on 28 Apr The holistic approach of Ancasta Yacht Services
Helping owners protect their investment and keep their boat in top condition Take a look behind the wood, gelcoat and trim panels on any modern yacht or powerboat, and you'll see that they are complex things. An array of cables, hoses & pipes interconnects electronic devices and amenities which make life on board more comfortable. Posted on 17 Apr Jazz Turner explains more about Project FEAR
She will leave the wheelchair behind to sail unassisted around the British Isles for charity I caught up with Jazz Turner, who cited "the pure freedom I get when on the water" as the most important thing to her. Most of us sailors can appreciate that, but what we cannot really empathise with is being told you may only have 6 months to live. Posted on 15 Apr Staying in your lane – a Robertson and Caine story
Boat building is quite happy to hand out Degrees from the University of Hard Knocks at will It's not an easy thing, this boat building caper. It is quite happy to hand out Degrees from the University of Hard Knocks, at will, and frequently. Much like on-the-spot fines from an overzealous parking inspector. Posted on 10 Apr Time to nerd out a bit
Possibly a big bit, as it turns out. Historically we know I am up for it, but how about you? Possibly a big bit, as it turns out. Anyway, historically we know I am up for it, but how about you? Right oh. Unequivocally, the greater electrification space is not just THE hot topic presently, it also changes at a prodigious rate. Posted on 3 Apr Revealing the Secrets of the 'Impossible' XR 41
An out and out race yacht, but also a sporty cruiser, thanks to its modular interior The XR 41 from X-Yachts was quite a departure from what they'd been doing for the last 15 years: concentrating on high-end Performance Racing Cruisers. This is an out and out race yacht, but it's also a sporty cruiser, thanks to its modular interior. Posted on 27 Mar RYA influences MCA's changes to regulations
Interview with Niall McLeod to see how Sport and Pleasure Code of Practice affects us The RYA have been working closely with the the government to make sure that new regulations for leisure vessels are not too restrictive. It seems that any group which operates a "coded" vessel should be thankful. Posted on 18 Mar Two boats. Same Direction.
You know the deal… It means there's a race on. You know the deal… It means there's a race on. So, the second South Pacific Superyacht Rendezvous is set for August 26 to 29, 2025. If it is even half as much fun and interesting as the first one, then it will bolster its burgeoning reputation. Posted on 9 Mar Spin it on its head
A swing keel that performs better than the fixed keel? C'mon. Let's check out the Wauquiez 55 A swing keel that performs better than the fixed keel? C'mon. Well, when you go to the super-accomplished Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group, like, what do you expect? The tale about the coming to be of the Wauquiez 55 is bold and forthright. Posted on 19 Feb J/40 Boat Tour at boot Düsseldorf
Mark Jardine looks at the yacht with Frédéric Bouvier from J/Composites Mark Jardine, Managing Editor of Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com took a tour around the J/40 during boot Düsseldorf 2025 with Frédéric Bouvier from J/Composites. Posted on 7 Feb
Sunstorm Marine - Mesh Bag - RIBHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignOcean Safety 2023 - New Identity - FOOTER
This site and its contents are Copyright © 2025 Sail-World Cruising Northern Hemisphere and/or the original author, photographer etc. All Rights Reserved. Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph contact the photographer directly.
If you have any questions about advertising or editorial then please contact our team. If you encounter any technical issues then please email techsupport@sail-world.com
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy