Jeremy Rogers, the Lymington based boatbuilder and 1974 Yachtsman of the Year, began building Contessa 26s back in 1966. The Contessa 32 followed in 1970 and made her first appearance at the London Boat Show in 1971.
The Contessa 32 Sunmaid IV won Boat of the Show at the 1972 London Boat Show and the marquee quickly became a classic, renowned for its performance both racing and cruising, as well as its beautiful lines.
The Contessa 32 Gigi was bought in 1982 by an American, Ty Techera who believed he would be taking his last trip and fulfilling a life-long dream to sail around Cape Horn after being diagnosed with cancer.
Techera engaged John Kretschmer to skipper the yacht and in 1984 the pair undertook their journey. Kretschmer later immortalised the voyage from New York to San Francisco in his book Cape Horn to Starboard.
Jeremy and Fiona Rogers recently found Gigi lying neglected in Galveston, Texas, and bought her with the intention of bringing her back to the UK to undergo a complete refit. The refit is underway and will be completed in time for the boat to be displayed at the Whyte & Mackay Earls Court Boat Show (December 1 to 9).
Visitors to the show will have the opportunity to meet the Rogers to talk about the work and craftsmanship involved in restoring Gigi and John Kretschmer will also be present to talk about his adventures in the boat.
Over 30 years and more than 700 hulls since the first Contessa 32, Jeremy Rogers Yachts is still building yachts of the highest quality from the Lymington yard and orders can be placed at the boat show for new yachts or re-fits of existing Contessas.
James Brooke, managing director of the Whyte & Mackay Earls Court Boat Show said: “The Contessa 32 has achieved cult status and we are delighted to have a yacht of such quality at the show. Jeremy's boat-building experience is second to none and our visitors will all have the opportunity to benefit from his knowledge first-hand.”
Jeremy Rogers said: “We were amazed to rediscover Gigi after so long and her re-fit has been a real labour of love. We can't wait to take her to Earls Court and share the story of her restoration with the boat show's visitors.”
