Sir Timothy Colman’s memories of Crossbow 40 years on
But the name that appears when the covers are pulled back at the secret location in East Anglia would set the heart racing of any sailing fan beyond a certain age: Crossbow.
The dust-covered assemblage of bits and pieces – hulls, keels and rudders long since separated from mast – bears no resemblance to the sleek speed machine that captured the world’s attention almost 40 years ago to the day. And its owner, Sir Timothy Colman, confesses it would be no easy task to put it all back together now although he is holding on to it in case one day it might take pride of place in a museum.
It was back in October 1972 that he joined fellow free spirits at Portland in Dorset for an attempt on a new world speed sailing record  … More