Condor of Bermuda
Condor of Bermuda was a maxi yacht campaigning under the leadership and funding of London based international businessman Bob Bell - Originally called "Condor" but re-named "Heath's Condor" for the 1977-78 Whitbread Round the World Race (see Volvo Ocean Race) after Bell's association with Heath's Insurance Co (London) - there is no association to British Prime Minister Edward Heath, of otherwise noteworthy Morning Cloud yachting fame. Condor was then later renamed "Condor of Bermuda", as government policy in the UK during the 1970s effectively exciled the financing of such a campaign, by making the funding and domiciling of such an endeavour from the home counties a practical impossibility.
Condor of Bermuda is a Polished Mahogany Race boat; and is often confused with its successor, "CONDOR" (Sometimes referred to Condor II) which was of Kevlar and Composite construction, and slightly larger, due to IOR Rule Changes. The two boats were colloquially known as "The Grand Piano" and "Plastic Condor" to those who had sailed on both.
Contents
Condor campaigns
Condor of Bermuda, Condor, Condor II, Condor 2, Heath's Condor, Condor of Corrunwumbula, Condor of Emsworth, Baby Condor.
Associated with
- Bob Bell (Campaigner),
- Sir Peter Blake (Watch Captain/Skipper),
- Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (Skipper),
- Grant Dalton,
- John Sharp (Designer), Bruce Farr (Consultant designer for refit)
- McMullian & Wing Refit Ship Yard, Auckland, Bowman Construction Ship Yard Emsworth.
- Many more. >Please Add as Identified<
Condor of Bermuda
Condor of Bermuda was a Maxi yacht campaigning from 1977 to approximately 1983.
Condor of Bermuda was famous for:-
Being Built from Mahogany, with 77' (foot) spectacular varnished hull/topsides.
For Being Shipwrecked in Tahiti (see below).
First Yacht To Race with a Carbon Fibre Mast (1977):
Whitbread Around the world Race: 1977/78.
- After developing a substantial lead, Heath's Condor was ultimately uncompetitive in the first leg (UK to Cape Town), due to a catastrophic Rig Failure.
- Won the Second Leg (Cape Town to Auckland (NZ))
- Second in the Third Leg (Cracked Mast)(Auckland to Rio de Janero)
- First in the Fourth (final leg) (Rio de Janero to Portsmouth).
- Placed Last on Elapsed time due to first leg; subsequent races were amended to give yachts a fighting chance after a single leg mishap. Also of Note: Condor was the primary competition for Whitbread outsider Pen Duick IV - a French sponsored, uranium ballasted unrecognised entrant to the 1977/78 Whitbread Around the World Race.
Current Record Holder for:
- Last British Vessel to win a leg of the "Around the World Yacht Race" see Volvo Ocean Race
- Informal Record: Most Alcoholic Beverages loaded onto a Whitbread Yacht at the outset of a race.
- Narrowest Margin for Victory - 1981 Sydney to Hobart (see below).
Won the tragic 1979 Fastnet race (Line Honours in Record Time)[2].
Won the Sydney to Hobart (1981) - Closest Ever Finish; Won by just 7 Seconds against Apollo III gruelling Match Race up the Derwent.
Shipwrecked on a reef in Tahiti in 1980. Salvaged, Rebuilt, and Re-Campaigned. See: Marlin Brando's Island, Tetiaroa.
Won Heather Cup - Auckland Anniversary Regatta (1979 & ??).
Won Newport to Bermuda Race (19??).
Won Miami to Montego Bay Race (19?? & ??)
Converted into Luxury Cruise Yacht; Not Available for Charter.
Current Location
Undisclosed.
