Graham, I am an Aussie living in Newport Rhode Island USA, home of the finish line typically for the OSTAR. In 1996 I spotted an unusual rig from the southern "Cliff Walk" and grabbed the telescope and saw it was a junk rig.
I called Newport Yacht Club, the organization that handled the finish and asked if they were expecting any more finishers. They indeed said yes, Jester and she is way overdue.
Needless to say club members got underway and went and welcomed him.
I subsequently introduced myself to him alongside Jester docked at the Museum of yachting where I think the boat sat for a while.
He survived on rice and was well rested on arrival. He was a gracious competitor and your mention of him reminded me of this fond and random association I had with him.
Not many folks outside our JRA would recognize that rig....or that competitor. In our world he was a rockstar.