won the event back in 1936.

Skippered by Sanford Horowitz, the Rhodes 54 was competing in the non-spinnaker Classic Yacht Division.

Kirarwan was a brand new boat 64 years ago, when competitors were hit by some of the worst weather in the event's 94-year history.

Strong south-easterly winds, gale force, blew for a week and 10 yachts were disabled or withdrew.

Vamarie was first to the finishing line in an elapsed time of 114 hours, 50 minutes. Walter Barnum's schooner Brilliant was just four minutes behind and a further one hour, 14 minutes back was Kirawan , who took overall honours.

According to an account of the race: "The wind fell light at last towards the finish and Kirawan came in from the northward after being becalmed off Kitchen Shoals.

"She had hewed close to the rhumb line throughout, never sagging more than 40 miles leeward of it and reducing sail as necessary.

"It was a fine performance by an able, weatherly boat with an able crew who just kept plugging.'' SAILING SLG