Jim Thom Part II

Part 2

Jim Thom reflects on nine years of nurturing and forming a highly acclaimed crew on board the yacht 'Mariquita' as he stands down as captain and passes the honour on to George Newman.

Since her well awaited restoration at Fairlie Restorations that was completed in 2003, Jim Thom has worked on board as the captain of the 19 Metre Class designed yacht. With an over all length of 125 feet, she's famous for her enormous rig that is sailed by block and tackle by the crew. Her presence in 21st century regattas is well admired. You cannot miss her carrying all her sails down wind with her carefully orchestrated crew, dressed in white, performing refined manoeuvres under the command of her captain.

Mariquita's restoration is sympathetic to her existence in the early 20th century, the lack of 'mod-cons' such as hydraullics has kept her authentic and as she'd have sailed in 1911. She's fitted out with the bear minimum in hydraulic power that would normally, in our modern times, be used to hoist and sheet sails on a very large yacht. The crew are the power, the man-power that is key to racing when quick manoeuvres and swift actions win regattas.

Jim Thom has gone one step further, he has match this authenticity seen in her rebuild by paying homage to the ways in which crew would have raced her and other cutters back in 1911. Jim has made sure that the crew are mindful of communication, social behaviour and, importantly, seamanship and traditional sailing techniques.

In this interview Jim Thom shares candid and emotional thoughts on his last race as captain at this year's end of season finale, Les Voiles de Saint Tropez on board Mariquita.

These films were produced and directed by Emily Harris and Noel Probyn.

This film is sponsored by TS Rigging (www.tsrigging.co.uk) who supply standing and running rigging, they're block and spar makers, they undertake beautiful iron and leather work and custom fittings for these traditionally rigged yachts worldwide.

More info on Part I

Classic Yacht brings you exclusive footage and interviews in a two-part series on two classic yachts deemed to be at the very top of their pedigree world-wide. Part 1 features racing between 'Altair' and 'Mariquita' as they compete for the 'Club 55 Challenge Cup' [2012]. Part II is a intimate and at times, emotional interview with Jim Thom as he reflect on nine years as captain of the great yacht, 'Mariquita'.

In Part I you'll see the racing takes place from inside the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the film takes the viewer around the course and to the finish, off Pampelonne beach. In the Club 55 Challenge Cup, the winner of the invitation race, which normally includes 2-3 yachts, becomes the host for a large luncheon at the world-famous Club 55 restaurant.

Filmed in 2012, Classic Yacht TV is racing on board well-admired 'Altair', a William Fife III designed schooner that was launched in 1931. At 133ft long, Altair is a grand size but also a magnificent icon of the 1930's - she symbolises the skills refined from a three-generation naval design family office that had exceptional success in designing fine yachts and ships from around 1800 until 1940.

In this year's race, (2012), Jim Thom, the captain of the equally famous 'Mariquita' is the competition for Altair's captain Stephane Benfield. CYTV got a rare interview with Jim Thom who narrates the film. He explains that this private race is such a lovely spectacle and opportunity for yacht owners to relax on a lay-day day of the inaugural 'Les Voiles Saint Tropez' regatta.

In Part 2 of this series Jim Thom talks candidly on his emotional last race as Captain of the famous 'Mariquita' in the Les Voiles de Saint Tropez 2012 regatta.

These films were produced and directed by Emily Harris and Noel Probyn.

This film is sponsored by TS Rigging (www.tsrigging.co.uk) who supply standing and running rigging, they're block and spar makers, they undertake beautiful iron and leather work and custom fittings for these traditionally rigged yachts worldwide. Recently, they completed the job of re-rigging the Cutty Sark ready for her opening to the Queen in May 2012.