Jeremy Rogers will exhibit, Gigi, a classic, restored Contessa 32 at the Earls Court Boat Show in December.

Gigi was bought in 1982 by 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.

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 at the show to spend time talking about his adventures in the boat.

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.’

Rogers, renowned Lymington based boatbuilder and 1974 Yachtsman of the Year, began building Contessa 26s back in 1966 and the Contessa 32 was produced in 1970 with her first appearance at the London Boat Show in 1971. They quickly became a much-loved classic cruiser with the Contessa 32, Sunmaid IV winning Boat of the Show at the 1972 London Boat Show.

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 their Lymington Yard and orders can be placed at the boat show for new yachts or re-fits of existing Contessas.