The legend sailboat Dorade arrived into the Santa Barbara Harbor yesterday part of the California Offshore 300 race that is leaving from here this afternoon.
I have been reading about this boat and her owner the renowned Americas Cup yatch designer Olin Stephens since sailing first captured my interest as a kid. Long a fan of his magnificently designed boats I nearly fell off the dock when I realized it was actually the boat I had read so much about over the years.
Designed by Olin and built by his brother Rod in 1929 her first race was the transatlantic race to England which she won hands down and then the Fastnet Race in 1931 with Olin and Rod double handing her to victory in both races. Upon returning NYC later that year they were treated to a ticker tape parade down Broadway from Battery Park to City Hall.
Before I left the harbor this morning I had to pay my respects one last time and capture a few final pictures of this piece of floating artwork. I wish I could have gone aboard. I’ll just have to pray for that chance someday in the future.
