One of the great highlights of yachting in the early 1900s was the racing of craft built to the new 15 metre rule. Nineteen had originally hit the starting line, including the King of Spain’s Fife Tuiga, but only a very few survived to recent times. Tom Nitsch was in the ‘Fairlie Restorations’ yard during the making of ‘Enchanted By The Dragon’ and he watched as the finishing touches were applied with an adze to the new keel for The Lady Anne.

The owner and the skipper agreed to have him film the whole process of her return to original. She was launched in 1999 to race against her old rival Tuiga in the Mediterranean. The whole story is filmed here – crew, builders, researchers, sailors and, of course, the sleeping beauty herself being kissed awake ….. by more than one prince …..

The Return of The Lady Anne won the Gold Special Jury Award at the WorldFest, Houston 2001

Filmed by Tom Nitsch

Narrated by Tom Cunliffe