Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

British solo sailor from wrecked yacht believed drowned

by Sail-World Cruising on 15 Jan 2011
Tapotupotu Bay, where the wreckage of Boadicea was found SW
New Zealand police believe that a British solo sailor whose wrecked yacht was discovered in a bay at the north of the North Island of New Zealand was drowned at sea before his boat washed ashore.

Divers involved in the search did not find the body of 77-year-old solo sailor Malcolm Widdilove on the yacht, but police believed he is missing and presumed drowned.


The yacht, Boadicea, an 8 metre wooden sloop, washed into rocks on the shore, and the alarm was raised by the crew of another boat who noticed a mast sticking out of the water. The boat was upright and hard up against cliffs, in an isolated area of rugged coast, south of Tauputoputo Bay, east of Cape Reinga.

Divers identified Mr Widdilove from personal property found on the boat and police have notified his next of kin in the United Kingdom.

Police believed Mr Widdilove was solo sailing and may have encountered difficulties, the small yacht sinking off the coast then drifting onto the rocks.

A police search of the small bays and inlets in the area found no trace of the solo sailor.

He had been a frequent sailing visitor to New Zealand, and it is believed that he was sailing for Norfolk Island when some incident occurred. A relative in the UK had said that he had phoned on January 4, saying he was in Opua and heading for Norfolk.

In spite of appealing to locals in Opua, police had not yet had any confirmed sightings of Mr Widdilove prior to his departure and wanted to hear from anyone who had seen him in order to establish when he left.
Excess CatamaransAllen Dynamic 40 FooterX-Yachts X4.3

Related Articles

PredictWind launches PredictRain
New app From PredictWind delivers hyper-accurate, short-term rain predictions PredictRain is a groundbreaking standalone app that combines advanced AI modelling with intuitive tools to provide timely and precise rain forecasts for all types of outdoor activities.
Posted today at 4:51 am
49er & 49erFX Junior Worlds champions crowned
One final race before the storm kicked in at Øresund The final day of the 2025 Junior World Championship delivered high drama and even higher waves. As wind and rain swept across the Øresund, Race Committees managed to run one final race before safety concerns forced an early end to the competition.
Posted today at 4:43 am
Admiral's Cup: Emotional, Rare, Unforgettable
The 2025 Admirals' Cup set the stage for a bold new era in offshore racing Once the pinnacle of international offshore sailing, the return of the Admiral's Cup was a resounding success, setting the stage for a bold new era in offshire racing.
Posted on 4 Aug
29er World Championship at Porto Day 2
The breeze never quite showed up but the action didn't stop Day two of the Porto World Championships began with hope—and strategy. With light winds in the forecast, the race committee scheduled an early start in anticipation of a short sea breeze window.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Aero World & Youth Worlds overall
The fine Brittany weather and afternoon sea breezes have provided excellent racing The stage was set for a dramatic final day showdown in Quiberon Bay, France, to decide the titles for the 7th RS Aero Worlds and 4th Youth Worlds.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Feva Worlds at Aix-les-Bains, France Overall
Crowning of our 2025 World Champions As our World Championships drew to a thrilling close on Friday afternoon, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation! Sailors and families were buzzing with excitement as they prepared for their journey home.
Posted on 4 Aug
Just another event?
Is Cowes Week still a pinnacle regatta? We've been blessed with incredible sailing so far this summer in the UK (for once) with great breeze much of the time, and some of the best events in the world gracing our shores. But, like with Storm Floris, there are clouds on the horizon...
Posted on 4 Aug
Cadet World Championship day 0
Just how long is a piece of string? So here we are, day one of the Cadet Worlds proper. The British Worlds Team have all arrived safely on site after their marathon journeys and tales of Cadets visiting the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower.
Posted on 4 Aug
Tenerife Windsurf Grand Slam Day 3
Pierre Mortefon draws first blood after the wind fills in late After a couple of days of waiting for the wind, Day 3 eventually provided the goods to end the wait for some official competition as the Slalom X got under way during the early evening in 15-18 knots of wind.
Posted on 4 Aug
Festival of Sails 2026 expands to 5 days of racing
Australia's largest celebration of sailing just got even bigger Australia's largest celebration of sailing just got even bigger, with the Festival of Sails expanding to five action-packed days of racing.
Posted on 4 Aug