This week’s Member spotlight shines on a 59-year member of the CYCA! Basil Diethelm has sailed almost everywhere you can imagine. Self-diagnosed with ‘pathological wanderlust,’ Basil has spent his life travelling the world and exploring by boat.
Nevertheless, it is entering Sydney Harbour, whether at sunrise or midnight, that has always been a favourite of Basil’s. While he states that life has always been about the journey for him, the destination of Sydney Harbour has always remained special.
CYCA Member Since: 1961, joined at age 17 and was caught drinking in the bar right before my 18th birthday!
Favourite CYCA Memory: Arriving back at the CYCA after having completed my first seven-year circumnavigation of the world. It was fantastic to arrive back at the club where I had learnt so much about offshore sailing from some wonderful skippers who were willing to take a young crewman down to Hobart with them.
Proudest achievement: Meeting my amazing wife. She swam out to my boat when I was anchored off Changi Sailing Club in Singapore and has endured my pathological wanderlust for over 50 years… true love!
Bucket-list event: Another RORC Caribbean 600. This is a wonderful race starting and finishing in Antigua with a huge international fleet after just 12 years of racing!
The best thing about the CYCA: It is a world-class yacht club that is completely about sailing and with a race calendar that is accessible for every level of expertise.
Favourite sailing book/movie and why: Joshua Slocum’s Sailing Alone Around the World.
Outside of sailing I…: have been able to work in dentistry in several countries! Most often in London, but also at local clinics in Antigua in the Caribbean and in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Life has always been interesting!
Advice to my younger self: Beware of mortgages, they are not sailor friendly!
