In 2010 the BBC commissioned a 3 part documentary about Britain and its relationship with the sea, seen through archive film. One of these episodes focused on sailing and used footage about Sir Max Aitken’s ocean racer Crusade. Looking for an equivalent “revolutionary” ocean racing yacht of the new century during Cowes Week, the production team consulted Malcolm McKeag, who happens to be godfather of Tom Humphreys, Orca’s designer, who suggested they film us. Securing a limited amount of footage during Cowes Week (having not recognised that much of what they were shooting was compromised by the spray on the camera lens), the team then arranged to film us in November. The weather was disgusting, they got very wet and cold and we did no more than head out into Southampton Water, hoist a sail, and then come straight back in. The challenge then was to interview us board in gathering gloom and with heavy rain pouring onto the coachroof. Much to our surprise, clever editing resulted in a very decent few minutes towards the end of the documentary.
The following are a collection of screengrabs from the programme:
