''Condor of Bermuda'' is a

maxi yacht A maxi yacht usually refers to a racing yacht of at least in length. Origin The term ''maxi'' originated with the International Offshore Rule (IOR) rating system, which in the 1970s and 1980s measured offshore racing yachts and applied a single- ...

campaigning under the leadership and funding of London-based international businessman Bob Bell. Originally called ''Condor'' but renamed ''Heath's Condor'' for the 1977–78 Whitbread Round the World Race after Bell's association with Heath's Insurance Co (London). There is no link with former British prime minister Edward Heath of '' Morning Cloud'' yachting fame. ''Condor'' was then later renamed ''Condor of Bermuda'', as government policy in the UK during the 1970s effectively exiled the financing of such a campaign by making the funding and domiciling of such an endeavour from the home countries a practical impossibility. ''Condor of Bermuda'' is a polished

mahogany Mahogany is a straight- grained, reddish-brown timber of three tropical hardwood species of the genus '' Swietenia'', indigenous to the AmericasBridgewater, Samuel (2012). ''A Natural History of Belize: Inside the Maya Forest''. Austin: Un ...

race boat; and is often confused with its successor, ''

Condor Condor is the common name for two species of New World vultures, each in a monotypic genus. The name derives from the Quechua ''kuntur''. They are the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere. They are: * The Andean condor (''V ...

'' (sometimes referred to as ''Condor II'' , which was of

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and composite construction, and slightly larger, due to IOR rule changes. The two boats were colloquially known as ''The Grand Piano'' and ''Plastic Condor'' or the ''Brown Bus'' by those who had sailed on both. ''Condor of Bermuda'' campaigned from 1977 to approximately 1983.

Notable facts

* It was the first yacht to race with a

carbon fibre Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (American English), carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers (Commonwealth English The use of the English language in current and former member countries of the Commonwealth of Nations was largely inherited fro ...

mast in 1977 in the Whitbread Around the world Race. * After developing a substantial lead, ''Heath's Condor'' was ultimately uncompetitive in the first leg (UK to

Cape Town Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second larges ...

), due to a catastrophic rig failure. ** Won the second leg (

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about I ...

, New Zealand) ** Second in the third leg (cracked mast)(

Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro ( , , ; literally 'River of January'), or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of the same name, Brazil's List of Brazilian states by population, third-most populous state, and the List of largest citi ...

) ** First in the fourth (final leg) (

Portsmouth Portsmouth ( ) is a port and city status in the United Kingdom, city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. The city of Portsmouth has been a Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority since 1 April 1997 and is admi ...

) ** Placed last on elapsed time due to first leg; subsequent races were amended to give yachts a better chance after a single leg mishap. * ''Condor'' was the primary competition for Whitbread outsider '' Pen Duick VI'' – a French sponsored,

uranium Uranium is a chemical element with the symbol U and atomic number 92. It is a silvery-grey metal in the actinide series of the periodic table. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons. Uranium is weakly ...

ballasted unrecognised entrant to the 1977–78 Whitbread Around the World Race. Condor Taking the Heat in Asia

* Current record holder for: ** Last British vessel to win a leg of the Around the World Yacht Race ''see''

Volvo Ocean Race The Ocean Race is a yacht race around the world, held every three or four years since 1973. Originally named the Whitbread Round the World Race after its initiating sponsor, British brewing company Whitbread, in 2001 it became the Volvo Ocean Rac ...

** Narrowest margin for victory – 1981 Sydney to Hobart (see below) * Won line honours (first boat to finish) in the tragic 1979 Fastnet race in record time. * Won the Sydney to Hobart (1981) which was the closest ever finish, winning by just seven seconds against '' Apollo III'' during a gruelling match race up the River Derwent. * Damaged on a reef in

Tahiti Tahiti (; Tahitian ; ; previously also known as Otaheite) is the largest island of the Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. It is located in the central part of the Pacific Ocean and the nearest major landmass is Aust ...

in 1980. Salvaged, rebuilt, and re-campaigned. See: Marlon Brando's Island, Tetiaroa. * Won Heather Cup – Auckland Anniversary Regatta (1979 & ??). * 1984–87: Converted for cruising * Sailed in the South Pacific, Great Barrier Reef, and completed several Sydney-Hobart's under the cruising category, with original owner Bob Bell. * Last seen in Thailand, coming out of refit. * Last seen in Viareggio in the Arpeca Spa yard.condor.mp4 – YouTube
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Condor of Bermuda Individual sailing vessels 1970s sailing yachts Sailing yachts built in the United Kingdom Sailing yachts of the United Kingdom Sailing yachts of Bermuda Maxi yachts Volvo Ocean Race yachts Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race yachts Fastnet Race yachts

Notable facts

See also

References