This page on Rob Ogilvie, is based on an interview with Rob Ogilvie by Julie Hodder of Middle Harbour Yacht Club. Rob lent us his extensive scrapbooks which has enabled us to preserve another piece of valuable yachting history.

Rob is certainly an interesting character and a yachting legend. He has many an interesting yarn to tell. Below is his history, however we also asked him:

1. Is there any one time in all your sailing adventures that was really frightening? 

One of the most frighting moments in my life happened while sailing in the World Half Ton Cup Regatta in 1974  on the Bay of Biscay during the last race which was a 200 hundred miler. We'd just rounded the most northerly mark, it was just dawn with gale force winds and  the rain was pelting down. We needed a third reef in the main. Rob Venables and I were the only 2 on watch so it was my duty to attach the reef line. This meant I had to stand on the boom, lean on  the sail and attempt to thread the line through the eyelet. The sail split in half, and I fell into the stormy waters of the Bay. I yelled "throw me a rope" - in those days no one wore life jackets. Anyway the yacht had sailed too far away. The next thing I saw was the life ring and drogue go flying by above the water at the speed of the wind eventually landing so that I had swim and surf furiously to get to its location. Somehow the yacht returned for me, and I was  gratefully  hauled aboard. We withdrew like the rest of the large fleet, except for the 9 that finished the course.

Having limited navigation instruments being a Compass RDF and Charts, we  headed for the nearest land which was an island called the Il d'Yeu. We moored alongside the port in the centre of town at high tide [20ft] and I was  sent to find a cafe that served steak and beer. Luckily the first one I tried was owned by an expat Aussie. We were treated to the best of the best. It took us all night to sail back to La Rochelle and the safety of the marina.

2. What has been your proudest achievement on water and at MHYC?

I remember a very proud  day in my sailing career whilst riding in a motorcade to the Official Americas Cup Reception in 1970 atop the back seat of a classic sports car as a crew member of Gretel 2 and waving to the cheering crowd that lined the streets of Newport Town.

I also remember a sublime moment at MHYC during the Seniors Luncheon in 2013 receiving my 40 year badge from you (Julie) whilst sitting next  to my former Americas Cup Skipper Gordon Ingate who was the guest speaker on the day.

3.  What has been one of your most memorable/amusing moments ?

My memories of amusing times would always be cruising aboard Plum Crazy and Highland Ghost swapping old sea dog yarns with Tig Thomas about our exploits and adventures from days gone by whilst sipping on a few tasty reds. They were some of the best days of my sailing life.

4.  What is one sailing adventure you have not done but would love to do?

Sadly I never had the opportunity to sail in the Admiral's Cup due to my 12 metre commitments , although I did assist the Apollo 2 campaign during trial races prior to her going overseas to compete with the Australian Team.