Wrap up for the Coopers Lighthouse There-and-Back Race

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Coopers Lighthouse There-And –Back Race

Sunday 26 May

The trimaran Ladybird skippered by Andrew Dolloway dominated in Sunday’s Royal Natal Yacht Club Coopers Lighthouse There-and-Back Race taking line honours in a fleet of 17.

Dolloway led from the onset heading offshore on the run as he raced to the mark set furthest for the racing class. Being the first boat to turn around the buoy, he opted for the route closest to the shore as he worked his way up to the finish line in a magnificent time of just over two hours.

Second around the racing pin, Sticky Fingers with Rob Samways at the helm navigated his way down the centre of the course. On his approach, Sticky Fingers caught up with the first in the cruising class, Bellissima with James Goss steering the larger yacht. The two duelled their way to the finish line in a wonderful tussle for the honour of second across the finish line. Bellissima powered her way to the end, pipping Sticky Fingers at the post.

James Goss enthusiastically stated after the race, “That was exciting! We were within inches of Sticky Fingers. I opted to wait and head further offshore on our approach to the finish with our final tack taking us perfectly through the line. This tactic worked fantastically and I am so pleased with our result!”

The wind filled the sails just in time for the race officer, Greg Challis to set the cluster of yachts off on time with one start for all the sailors. A gentle 5knots and glassy waters greeted the sailors as they set off flying their spinnakers sailing down to two marks just off Coopers Lighthouse off the Bluff.  The slower, bigger boats in the Cruising Class turned first with the racing classes buoy further down the coast allowing them to stretch their legs and power their way around the course.

On the beat back to the finish, the north easterly got to around 8knots giving the boats a bit more power. The entire fleet finished within one hour after the leader Ladybird with only one yacht retiring. The Durban sailors were treated to a once in a lifetime backdrop as they made their way back to the finish line near the harbour mouth, three Dutch Tall Ships departed Durban continuing their circumnavigation with the next stop in Port Louis in Mauritius made for a welcome and memorable sight.

Ahead of the biggest sailing event in South Africa, four L26s used the race to get some hard earned time on the water for the upcoming Lipton Challenge with the two big contenders finish first and fifth on handicap in the racing class.

Results

Cruising Class

1 Bellissima (James Goss), 2 Caversham Caprice (Richard Crockett), 3 So Basic (Stuart Ritchie), 4 Inside Out (Phil Downing) 5 Cest La Vie DNF

Racing Class

1 Choose Life Coordination (Richard Weddell), 2 Sticky Fingers (Rob Samways), 3 Aquavit (Ross McGill), 4 Majimoto (Jon Marshall), 5 Orion B2G2 (Patrick Harris), 6 Zing (Gavin Smith), 7 Therapy (Gavin Wadsworth), 8 Choose Life Element (Siya Vato), 9 Container World (Michael Dickinson), 10 Flyer (Brad Rayson), 11 Zap (Graham Rose)

Multihull

1 Ladybird (Andrew Dolloway)

On The Couch with SA Olympic Marathon Runner Rene Kalmer

1 Favourite dessert / sweet

Belgian Waffle with caramel sauce.

2 Favourite movie

How to loose a guy in 10days.

3 If you could go see any band live, who would it be?

Train

4 Have you ever arrived at an event and discovered you didn’t have your running shoes? (I know Russian Basketball captain has arrived at an international game with no shoes and a mate of mine recently went travelling with two right shoes)

No, luckily not! I have a checklist. Racers - check, running vest -check. race number - check, energy drink- check, stopwatch - check.

5 Best road trip to an event?

December 2011, my sister, Christine and I went to Zanzibar. We used local transport, daladalas (2$) instead of 50$ Taxi rides,to save money for cocktails. The highlight was when we swam with dolphins at Kizimkazi.

6 A moment that stands out for you while competing? (Can be running down The Mall in London, seeing someone in the crowd or a light drizzle as you compete against millions in China)

Running the marathon at the Olympic Games was a career highlight especially seeing all the support on route in the pouring rain.

7 What do you think about while running?

Just keep running! Just keep running!

8 Best conditions to run in?

Sunny, not too hot or humid! No wind or rain. Basically Durban in the winter.

9 If you could shake anyone’s hand and hang out with them for half an hour, who would it be?

Paula Radcliffe

10 A day in the life of an SA Marathon runner entails…

Get up at 5am to do a morning run with Christine, sometimes Irvette joins us.

Breakfast, before a 9am Pilates classor gym session at Virgin Active.

A sport massage once a week, not so pleasant experience.

An hour nap before I meet my coach Gerrie Coetzee at the track for a quality workout.

11 Best part of the London Olympics?

Th London Olympics was one big highlight. Staying in the Olympic Village with 10 000 Sport stars. The dining hall that's open for 24hours and can seat 5 000 people at a time. All the freebies from generous sponsors like Adidas and Oakley. Having a lot of family and friends in London to support me, all wearing "Run Rene Run" t-shirts that was designed by Christine. of course coming back from London with a boyfriend...

 
12 Favourite destination (Can be to compete or for holidays)

Island anywhere

13 New Year’s resolutions – did you make any and have you stuck to it / broken them yet.

Not big on New Year's resolutions or keeping them.

These are daft either or questions… 
14 Early morning catches the worm or late night owl?

Early morning catches the worm.

15 Sugar or spice?

Spice

16 10km or Marathon?

10km, especially a Spar Ladies 10km

17 Left or Right foot first

Left

18 Rugby, soccer or Cricket? (Give team names)

Rugby! Big Cheetah supporter

On the Couch with Jacobus Van Heerden

I am an actor because…

I'm an actor because I enjoy making people laugh.

First time on stage, how did it go?

My first time onstage (grade 2) I played "the litter bug" and accidentally threw a newspaper into the Mayor of Westville's face.

Best role you have ever played and a role you would love to play?

Hamlet but I would love to play Frank n Furter in Rocky Horror. Apparently Russel Crowe played the role for something like 5 years.

Why should anyone come and see The Ladykillers?

Great direction, great set, great cast, great script... Overall brilliant production.

In a sentence, what is the Ladykillers all about?

It's a comedy about an old lady who stays true to her values even when her home is filled with criminals.

Funniest moment in rehearsals so far?

In one scene Tim Wells' character hits my character over the head but in one rehearsal he missed and hit Charon Williams Ross' instead. It's always funny seeing a lady get hit over the head.

The Neon Anthems – what inspired the songs?

Liam and I always enjoyed making people laugh and when I learned to play guitar the rest fell into place. Most of our songs were a parody of the ego because no one should take themselves too seriously.

Have you ever been on stage and forgotten your lines? (What did you do to recover)

I have forgotten my lines once or twice but both times I was acting with Liam and luckily he improvised around my fumbles.

If you could be on stage with anyone, who would it be?

I would love to be on stage with Rowan Atkinson.

Favourite band?

Pink Floyd

Favourite actor / actress?

Daniel Day Lewis

Favourite smell?

Fynbos after rain

Hollywood, Bollywood, Broadway or West End?

Bollywood

Books or Kindle?

Books

Movie or Mini Series?

Movie

Bar-One or Crunchy?

Bar One 

On The Couch with Evita Bezuidenhout

South Africa’s most famous white woman, Evita Bezuidenhout, the razor-sharp self proclaimed tannie of the nation, famed hostess, socialite and former ambassadress of the homeland of Bapetikosweti, will be in Durban’s Glenwood for one night only at the KZNSA Gallery as special guest for their Gala Benefit Evening on Wednesday 5 June.   

To honour Mrs Bezuidenhout, the KZNSA Arts Cafe is creating a special menu for the evening, preparing dishes straight out of Evita se Kossie Sikelela cook book..

For more information, or to book, phone Emme on 031 277 1705.

A perfect evening would entail?

EB: Alone with the cat, a glass of  wine and a Mimi Coertse CD

A word that you use often?

EB: 'O Liewe Aarde!'

Where were you when Nelson Mandela was released?

EB: In my Embassy kitchen watching with my staff on their b/w TV

Favourite South African comedian? EB: Any of the Guptas

Can you list the eleven official languages in South Africa?

EB:   English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Tswana, North Sotho, South Sotho,  Venda, Swati, Pedi, Cape Coloured

Proudest moment of being a South African recently?

EB: Not being invited to that wedding at Sun City

Who would you most like to enjoy a cup of tea with and haven't had the opportunity to yet? EB: Julius Malema (not out of Winnie's tea pot....)

Best thing about living in Darling?

EB: The name is English for 'Skattie'!

Favourite quote?

EB: "Moenie panic nie; alles sal regkom!"

Do you know any Justin Bieber songs?

EB: Who?

On The Couch with SA Olympic Marathon Runner Tanith Maxwell

Caught up with SA Olympic Marathon Runner, Tanith Maxwell after she came ninth in the Berlin 25km race. She is preparing for the upcoming SPAR Women's 10/5km Race

1 Favourite dessert / sweet?

Desserts in general are a favourite, but I guess crème brûlée edges ahead of everything else!

2 Favourite movie?

Enjoy historical movies, but I think 'atonement' stands out above the rest!

3 If you could go see any band live, who would it be?

I honestly don't know! I like music, but am not into live concerts so nothing comes to mind!

4 Have you ever arrived at an event and discovered you didn’t have your running shoes?

Not quite as bad as no shoes, but I did arrive with no liners in my shoes! It was a very hard run and the blisters were dreadful!

5 Best road trip to an event?

I think it has to be traveling down to race the 'Voet of Afrika' in Bredasdorp! Had never been there and I had quite a raucous bunch of runners that I had organized a lift with! Not the usual way I travel to events!

6 A moment that stands out for you while competing?

I think stepping onto Tower Bridge in London during the Virgin London Marathon! It's such an amazing landmark and to have the whole bridge to yourself makes it extra special!

7 What do you think about while running?

Get asked this a lot and I really have to sit and think about it! Easy runs I can think about literally anything, but harder training sessions ......well then nothing!

8 Best conditions to run in?

Being a Durbanite I like the warmer conditions! Tried to run a race in March in Poland and couldn't get my legs to function properly!

9 If you could shake anyone’s hand and hang out with them for half an hour, who would it be?

The Queen, Queen Elizabeth! Have always been an avid supporter of the English monarchy and Queen Elizabeth is a remarkable figure!

10 A day in the life of an SA Marathon runner entails…

Gosh there is not much besides eating, training and sleeping! It really does get that monotonous and boring during heavy training!

11 Best part of the London Olympics?

Have to give you two! First, walking into the stadium for the opening ceremony and the second coming down the finish of the Olympic marathon in the Mall outside Buckingham Palace! Both magical moments!

12 Favourite destination?

Love Scotland! Nothing beats training in the highlands around a picturesque loch! The weather can let you down though!

13 New Year’s resolutions – did you make any and have you stuck to it / broken them yet

Don't make New Year’s resolutions! Some friends and family tend to make for me, but I never stick to those either!

14 Early morning catches the worm or late night owl?

Definitely an early worm, fade significantly from 9pm!

15 Sugar or spice?

Sugar, can't get enough!

16 10km or Marathon?

Marathon for sure! Don't have the zippy 10km speed!

17 Left or Right foot first

Right! I'm right handed and not very coordinated!

18 Rugby, soccer or Cricket? (Give team names)

Has to be rugby, and it's the sharks all the way!

Chatting to International model Jay D'Engle

On setting eyes on the exquisite Jay D’Engle, you can picture him donning GQ or FHM magazine covers, but the humble down to earth chap is a surprising package.

The determined figure who was born and raised in Doonside, D’Engle was home schooled for his entire school career. “I completed school at 15 and left home at 16 to pursue a competitive dance career.”

With the experience he gained, he opened up a professional dance studio. “One of my dreams is to travel the world. I started sailing again as this was a means to make my dream become a reality. I took to it like a duck to water and was soon offered a bursary to get my skipper qualifications. This is where my sailing career started.” D’Engle says smiling.

D”Engle who has just made a break into the international modelling world with modelling shots of him adorning massive billboards as far away as India claims. “When I was living up in Pretoria three years ago, I was at a beauty pageant supporting my girlfriend. The male models hadn’t pitched and they announced that they needed representatives, and if any ladies in the audience thought their guys were good looking, to pull them up onto stage. I went up and ended up winning the event.”

“Shortly after that I entered and won a News Café Competition and then entered the Mister Pretoria and Manhunt SA for fun and made the finals of both.” states the chiselled frame.

It was only in August last year that the young man decided that this is what he wanted to do for a full time career. “This is all still new to me, but my goals would be to feature at the International Fashion Week, and land a campaign for Hugo Boss or Armani.” he says with a twinkle in his eye. “But eventually I would love to get into film.”

D’Engle comes from a big family, with three elder sisters and two older brothers, “My family are scattered all around the country. I am a twin and I can proudly say I have the best sister in the world; her name is Jasmine and is 23seconds older than me. My parents are planning to sail the islands later this year, lucky buggers!” he remarks.

He continues, “My Dad, He is the most amazing person and utmost Gentlemen, I inspire to be as great as him one day.” He pauses, “and maybe as good looking but he set the bar pretty high.” A beaming D’Engle says.

D’Engle is now based down in Cape Town juggling running his own dance studio with a busy modelling career, “I moved down to the Cape in November last year and started Dancerxise. It is a fitness dance class similar to Zumba except with Latin steps incorporated. It is something I designed for myself to practice my dancing and to keep me in peak condition, I couldn’t survive longer than 25minutes and that is when I decided it is a fantastic fitness routine.”

Asked what his hobbies are, he responds, “Card magic, cooking – I am a strict Vegan and I follow a fabulous diet to keep my body in shape. I don’t drink or smoke. Every day I wake up, gym for two hours, and then hit the beach and gym again in the evening. I am very content with my life.”

The beautiful man has his provincial colours in sailing, as well as his U/18 Protea Colours for Ice Hockey where he competed in the U/18 World Championships. He qualified as South Africa’s youngest internationally qualified Latin American dancing instructor at age 18 but says that the best event he ever won was the Commodores Cup at the Round the Island Yacht Race held annually in Gauteng.

“I headed up a sailing campaign for the Sail Africa Youth Development Team and took them to a second place in the provincial championships. It was the most rewarding seven months of my life. Something else I am extremely proud of is, when I was seven, I was the youngest in South Africa to do a firewalk over five meters of burning hot coal, that was a lasting memory!”

Asked what is on his bucket list, he says enthusiastically, “Since I was a kid, I have been dying to rollerblade 1,000km to raise money for a charity and I will do this before I get too old.”

The alluring, charming local concludes, “I strongly believe you have to live every day as if it is your last, in joy, harmony and peace.”

ENDS

Wrap up of the Colorpress Vasco da Gama International Ocean Race

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Colorpress Vasco da Gama

After a gutsy 300 nautical mile race, Bellatrix skippered by Morningside’s Gregg Hurter won handicap honours in the tough international blue water ocean race, the 2013 Colorpress Vasco da Gama hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club that started in Maputo on Thursday.

The Beneteau First 40, Bellatrix relished a mere 16 minute lead in the final handicap results between themselves and second placed Aquavit, an L34 skippered by Ross McGill from Durban North.

After a clean start in Maputo, Bellatrix rounded Inhaca Island in second position and enjoyed sailing with the front runners for the entire race, sprinting down the coastline. Hurter opted for sailing slightly offshore as he and the crew adored the downwind race recording speeds of up to 19knots. They blew two spinnakers during the night but continued flying their biggest spinnaker in the sky.

The front runners consisting of five yachts out of a quality fleet of fifteen were tightly bunched together speeding to arrive back in Durban before the approaching South Westerly. Bellatrix was the furthest offshore, sticking just behind Skitzo, who was rewarded with line honours after their impeccable performance. Bellatrix pushed Skitzo the entire race, crossing the line in second position 29minutes behind Nigel Miln sailing on Skitzo. Miln, the defending champion, finished the race in just under 33 hours.

Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Richard Crockett commented on Skitzo winning line honours, “A great result from a man who is fast beginning to 'own' the Vasco race.”

Second placed Aquavit powered to the finish, sneaking in just before midnight in just under 38 hours. The young team on board worked tirelessly trimming the sails squeezing out any speed as they neared Durban.  Aquavit’s final surge to the finish line secured their second place on handicap, forcing out the smallest boat in the fleet, Sticky Fingers lead by Rob Samways from Westville who concluded the race in fourth on handicap.

Crockett enthused, “This year the race has been a cracker, I am impressed with the entire fleet and their efforts. The front runners gave all us landlubbers an exciting show as they tussled for line honours. And the rest of the guys preserved through it all, the rough South Westerly that blew up to 30knots, the windless calm on Friday afternoon.”

Continuing, Crockett stated, “Special mention to Flyer skippered by Brad Rayson and Zap skippered by Graham Rose who never gave up. Zap had battery problems and had to conserve energy so they could use their power for essentials such as GPS, navigational equipment and navigational lights. And Flyer, the last one home impressed us no end, getting battered in the South Westerly but preserved.”

This year the stats revealed that 20% of the overall crew were under the age of 25 years and there were 42 new comers to the race. One of the new trophies presented at the prize giving was the Choose Life Youth Trophy that went to the youngest member who crossed the line first, this prestigious award went to Michael Dickinson sailing on Aquavit. 18 year old Dickinson who is from Glenwood High School is fast making a name for himself in the Durban sailing community.

For the first time in the race, the organisers created a Rally Class for the cruising boats. The difference with this class was the boats were allowed to use their motors for a certain number of hours during the race. Southern Cruiser with Rhett Butler at the helm scooped this award.

A riveting conclusion to the 2013 Vasco da Gama international ocean race witnessed a battle offshore with Gregg Hurter sailing Bellatrix being crowned the champion of the toughest ocean race in Southern Africa.

All pix by Richard Crockett - taken at the start in Maputo

IRC Division, Handicap (Corrected Time): 1 Bellatrix (Beneteau First 40) Gregg Hurter 36 hours 00 minutes 56 seconds, 2 Aquavit (L34) Ross McGill 36:17:39, 3 Skitzo (Fast 42) Nigel Miln 36:40:30, 4 Sticky Fingers (Whitbread 30) Rob Samways 37:19:19, 5 Southern Storm (Pacer 37) Chris Frost 40:03:04, 6 Choose Life Pacer (Pacer 40) Luke Wagner 42:27:45

IRC Division, Line honours (Elapsed Time): 1 Skitzo 32:53:33, 2 Bellatrix 33:22:43, 3 Southern Storm 35:34:10, 4 Sticky Fingers 36:09:53, 5 Choose Life Pacer 37:32:39, 6 Aquavit 37:48:23

PHRF Division: Spindthrift (Lavranos 40) John Banfield

  

Rally Division: Southern Cruiser (Pacer 42) Rhett Butler

ENDS