Chatting to skipper, Andrea Giovanni

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Interview with Andrea Giovanni

Saltwater flows through the veins of this super-sailor, Andrea Giovanni from Hout Bay. Giovanni is in Durban on a quest to claim the 2013 Ola Lipton Challenge Cup that begins offshore on 7^th July.

Nautical tactians will be taking to the waters to outsmart and outsail their opponents in the biggest sailing event in the country, and Giovanni along with his team will be lining up with the competition with one intention, to get their hands on the historic cup.

The young sailing legend is co-helming the L26 yacht False Bay Intasure with renowned competitor Markus Progli. The two have featured on the podium several times in recent years, and they entered the history books when they held the magnificent century old trophy aloft in 2011. “Winning Lipton was a big one for us and we are hoping to repeat the performance this month. The guys we sail with are pretty talented and we all sail together on a variety of boats so I am hoping things come to us quickly.”

“It was a last minute campaign and with shipping boats we didn't have enough time to do a massive crusade. This is a break from work for all of us, so we are looking forward to the time in Durban. We only did three weeks of training and it was all for an hour in the evenings or over the weekends.”

The Italian blooded helmsman loves the challenge of a one design class where the competition has a level playing field as all the yachts are identical, “I suppose the best boat I could be sailing on is the GP42 which we are doing a lot of at the moment,  but to be honest Fast boats don't get me that excited. I prefer one design racing so the SB20 or Melges 32 something along those lines.”

The modest chap has an array of sailing achievements from his amazing career that spans nearly two decades, “Winning the J22 Nationals last year was really special because we did it with a team who had never sailed together, not even once. I was sailing on a boat that I have little to no experience in. I have sailed a J maybe five times in my life.” said a bemused Giovanni.

“I began sailing when I was 12 years old, I think….” The tanned frame ponders for a bit, “For me I am a complete amateur club sailor so I have really achieved what I wanted to in this sport. So all my sailing is now just with my mates, which I am doing to the full!”

“I don’t race across oceans, I really don’t venture to far offshore to race, so I suppose Robin Island is the furthest I have sailed to,” interjecting, he remembers, “Nah, I have done the Vasco once so that is easily the furthest.”

“After Lipton I leave for Palma in Spain to do the 32^nd Copa del Ray Mapfre, so that's definitely a bucket list event that I am ticking off.  A couple of weeks ago I raced a D35 cat in Switzerland which is like an Extreme 40, that got me super interested in cat sailing. But I think the chances of me racing the D35's or Extreme 40's or even in the AC45's is less than 1 in a million, so it will probably never happen again. That is saved for enthralling fun with my mates in Europe.”

Giovanni, who is representing the False Bay Yacht Club, beams with pride as he talks about his aquatic passion, “Wow there are so many things that make sailing great! I really think it is the most beautiful game in the world. From the skills it teaches you, tactics, engineering, team work, and the comradarie. There are so many fantastic people in sailing. It is just part of my life and I am looking forward to winning the over 60 event at RCYC.” Laughing he continues, “The problem is I will still have to beat Markus which, if it is hard now, it is going to be impossible when I am 60 as I age faster than him!”

His next love in life is surfing, “I am living the dream. Surfing is my biggest passion. I have travelled around the world a few times and got to surf some seriously sick swells. I spent time in some crazy places like Hawaii, Ireland, Fiji, Canaries, and Spain. I drove across Australia. Stopped off in New Zealand, Indonesia, and wow there a whole lot more but I lived the dream for a couple of years. I surfed some amazing waves, sailed in some fantastic events and had the privilege of coaching a lot of sailing.  

Questioned what he is most looking forward to about the Ola Lipton Challenge Cup, “Just sailing with really talented guys who are all my close mates, so just achieving a goal with my buddies. I personally think Lipton is like ‘the best of the best regatta’, you take the top dinghy sailors, keel boat sailors, hobie sailors and you put them all in this one design class so it’s a champions of champion's event. This year alone there are some professional sailors sailing,  and some future Olympians as well as some of the great's from the heyday mixed in, so just the level of competition is the biggest pulling point to travel 2,000km's for this event.”

Cheekily, he concludes, “A perfect day sailing? It is happening on the 12^th of July; I will let you know how it turns out!”

ENDS

Chatting to Skipper, Patrick Harris

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Interview with Patrick Harris

“Lipton is the most prestigious regatta in the country with South Africa’s best sailors competing! Just to be part of it is an honour but to win would be fantastic.” these are the determined words of Patrick Harris who hails from Kloof ahead of the Ola Lipton Challenge Cup that begins on Sunday.

Harris has the responsibility of being the helmsman of the Royal Natal Yacht Club’s entry Orion B2G2, “We are a new team on deck but we are getting better every single time we go out on the water. It is great sharing this experience with some seriously talented young sailors who are eager to do well!”

Harris, who started sailing at the age of seven in Pretoria on the Rietvlei Dam, is no stranger to big events, “I have done some long distance sailing, Mauritius and Gibraltar come to mind. I have competed in regattas in Europe, the UK, Australia, Hong Kong and also New York which was particularly fascinating but the best racing conditions are in Durban with a sunny southwester, warm seas, great swells you can’t beat it.”

Harris, a well-respected Flying Fifteen sailor, was recently crowned provincial champion along with his partner Jeremy Kriek, “I love sailing on most boats but probably my favourite is the Flying Fifteen which is a small two man boat. Jeremy and I have a fantastic understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses out on the water. It feels like I know what he is thinking when racing, we enjoy being out on the water and the results show this.” the sailor states proudly.

Chatting about life off the water, Harris spends his days working in short term insurance, “As with the rest of the economy, things are difficult and our business is no different. After school, I did all the usual things, bummed around the UK and Europe, then had to work, got married and now have a wonderful wife and two incredibly special children.” the dotting father says.

Hobbies outside of sailing, “I am an avid reader, enjoy watching cricket otherwise I can be a professional relaxer but haven’t had much chance recently to perfect these skills as training has been taking up most of my free time.”

The skipper is highly decorated, with some highly awe-inspiring awards, “I was selected to sail for SA twice as a youth, winning both the respective Youth Nationals and got a 2^nd at the Laser Nationals out of about 80 boats, all a long time ago. Since then I have won a few Flying Fifteen Nationals and getting a 10^th in the World Champs here in Durban was pretty special.”

“I still have a number of races that I would like to participate in, Cowes Week in the UK would be great, and so would Antigua Sailing Week in the Caribbean. Any international regatta wherever it is, still attracts me, sailors are an interesting bunch all over the world. Regarding long distance sailing, I must admit nowadays, I prefer aeroplanes.” he says smiling.

With the entire world all praying for our phenomenal icon, Nelson Mandela, Harris tells us with pride, “In life he has to be every ones role model, he certainly is mine! What an extraordinary person. He has taught us so much.”

“My nautical hero is South African Dave Hudson. When I was young, he seemed to win every national championship in every class and now he is still sailing internationally, having just returned from competing in Palma in Spain last week. He is nearing 60 and still is a force to be reckoned with on the water.”

“What I most enjoy about sailing is the different places you go to and the variety of people, most of them are passionate about their sport!”

Asked what a perfect day sailing would entail, the passionate sailor smiles, pauses and then concludes, “Winning the Ola Lipton Challenge Cup would be one, on the final day, crossing the finish line.”

On the Couch with Durban's top sailor Jeremy Kriek

Catching up with top Durban Sailor, Jeremy Kriek who is a member of the Royal Natal Yacht Club’s Orion B2G2 L26 Lipton team. Kriek and his team are busy preparing for the biggest sailing event in South Africa, the Ola Lipton Challenge Cup that is being held offshore of Durban from the 7 – 12 July.

1 I am a sailor because…..?

I love the challenge of outperforming  other sailors by being more skilled, have a better prepared boat, have good understanding of the sailing rules , the technology of the boats rig and being able to constantly adjust to the ever challenging wind and water conditions. Sailing is not only a physical challenge but also an intellectual challenge. One has to constantly plan ahead and anticipate the next manoeuvre to stay ahead.

2 First time you went out sailing… (tell us how it went)

I was probably about 13 years old, it was on Sterkfontein Dam, it was in the winter and it was very cold. I enjoyed it all the same, and sailing is the reason I find myself living in Durban.

3 If I could have a drink with anyone, it would be with…

Old slow hand, Eric Clapton 

4 Role model / who do you admire

Ellen Mac Arthur

5 A moment that stands out for you while sailing?

While participating in the flying fifteen world championships in 2011 at Hayling island in the UK we were reaching to the leeward mark fighting off the then current world champions for 3rd out of 129, previous world champions were just ahead of us and the new world champions were leading the pack, we were good enough to fight it out with the best.

6 If you were invisible for a day, what would you get up to?

I would enjoy driving around in an blue light convoy with the minister of transport and some other high profile government officials and observe their reactions to the calamities they cause and maybe pull some tokalosh tricks.

7 If you were on a speed date, and had a minute to convince someone to take up sailing, what would you say?

Sailing makes you feel alive, even if there is only a light breeze blowing and only one other boat, there will still be a race, and all ones intentions are focused on winning.

8 Funniest or clumsiest moment sailing?

During a race in Spain Patrick and I collided with the president of our world body, seriously damaging his boat.

9 Lipton Challenge Cup, why is the event such a big deal?

The Lipton cup regatta is probably the most prestigious sailing event in South Africa and it draws the best local sailors to compete for the honour of winning the title of Lipton champions.

10 When you wake up in the morning on a weekend, what is your first thought?

I seemed to have earned a reputation of being the boat fixer, so often I lie in bed thinking of solutions to rigging problems or dreaming up new designs to improve our performance on the water. Sailing on the weekend is a way of life fore and does not require a second thought.

11 Durban has the best sailing conditions because….

The warm Mozambique current that flows down our coast keeps Durban warm all year round, the prevailing winds hardly ever relent and the sailing buddies are all great to hang out with.

12 Dinghy or yacht?

Yachts and dinghy but only real boats, not cats.

13 Dam or Ocean?

Ocean of course otherwise I would be living in joburg!

14 Rock or pop?

Rock

15 Bar-One Ice Cream or Rocky Road Ice Cream?

Rocky road

16 Swell or flat waters?

Swells with wind, there's nothing better than surfing down huge swells on a sailing boat.

Chatting to young sailor Chad Stevenson

Royal Natal Yacht Club

RS Tera World Championships

Weymouth, England: 28 July – 5 August

The twinkling eyes of Chad Stevenson (13), from Durban North, sparkle as he talks about his about his burst onto the sailing scene and his next big event, the RS Tera World Championship that takes place in Weymouth, England from 28^th July 2013.

Chad first began sailing with the 57^th Sea Scouts in the late 2009 under the encouragement of his mother and hasn’t looked back. Being the first sailor in the Stevenson family, the young lad quickly advanced from  Sea Scouts to Sail Africa, where he was introduced to dinghy racing. “I love RS Tera’s! It’s fun and fast. I have a need for speed.” The sprightly sailor has competed in the Oppie Class, Hobbies but utterly loves the small one man monohull and has an impressive long list of achievements from his fresh career in the RS Tera`s.

Last year, he competed in the RS Tera World Championships in August in Italy, coming 12^th. “The conditions were trying, and being my first ever overseas big competition, it was a bit overwhelming but I loved every moment of it. Lake Iseo was awesome.”

Asked what he is most looking forward to when racing in the UK, he quickly states with a beaming smile on his face, “Not the weather!” The sun worshiper however follows this statement with, “The wind, it is going to be the best! It gets to around 25knots at this time of year. Also where the event is being held, that is where the London Olympics was held last year, so I will be sailing on the same waters and at the same venue as some of the current great names in the sport.I want to come in the top three this year.”

The determined face admits, “Would you like to know what my four year plan is?  In 2016 Rio Olympics, I will be sixteen then! And then my eight year plan is the 2020 Olympics. I am training hard and would like to thank my coaches , Rudy Mc Neal and Michael Dickinson, in helping me to achieve this. After the Olympics, I would then love to compete in an America’s Cup campaign, which is the ultimate in racing.”

The Crawford La Lucia schoolboy is a sport fanatic, competing in everything that his schedule allows, having been awarded KZN Colours for sailing and was also trying for cross county but had to stop and go sail Worlds in Italy. He also participates in hockey; soccer at school and Juventus FC, mountain biking at Mudman and the Spur Mongoose series, swimming and triathlons. “I like being competitive, it is my life. I have done extremely well in my sailing, I have mostly won every single event I have participated in. I have travelled to the Eastern Cape Provincials, Western Cape Provincials and KZN Provincials and  the SAS Youth Nationals where I dominated all the races in the RS Tera Sport class.I also won the inter-schools regatta for Crawford.”

This  young Durban sailor is looking for support and sponsorship to make his dreams become a reality. He needs to raise around R40,000 for his upcoming trip to Weymouth which will be for flights, kit, boat chartering, transport and accommodation. If anyone is able to assist, please contact Gayle from the Royal Natal Yacht Club on 031 301 5425 or Gary Stevenson on 079 555 1068 or chadsports@mweb.co.za.

Chatting to young sailor, Euan Hurter

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Ola Lipton Challenge

Interview with Euan Hurter

Catching up with Morningside’s Euan Hurter on World Ocean’s Day, the keen sailor effervescently shares his passion for his water sport, sailing.

“A perfect day sailing requires plenty of wind, the right boat and a patch of water,” begins the dashing young man.

Continuing, “Sailing is a never ending, non-repetitive puzzle and game. Whoever plays the game best comes out on top.” claims the 17year old sailor.

“I spend most of my days trying to fly through school so I can I can get out on the water!” says the zealous sportsman.

Hurter is a Grade 11 student at Clifton College, “I am currently writing exams which are going well! But I am trying to balance my demanding school curriculum with my training for the Ola Lipton Challenge Cup that is taking place during the July school holidays!”

The talented lad isn’t all just about sport; he has an extremely cultured side that he is extremely proud of. “I play the flute and I perform in a couple of orchestras.”

The six day sailing regatta is the curry cup of sailing where the leading sailors from around South Africa travel to compete for the honour of the Lipton Cup, “I think our training is going great! I am on board with a good bunch of guys who have been around the sailing scene I was brought up in. I am delighted to be a part of the team.”

“I have to say, definitely sailing Lipton at home is a major upside. Competing for the cup in our backyard is going to be a challenge but we are certainly going to give it our all to keep the cup in the trophy cabinet of Royal Natal Yacht Club.”

The young lad began sailing with his day early in life, “I have been sailing and on boats all my life! My first regatta was just crewing for my dad on a sprog back in 2006 when I was 10, but I only learnt how to sail when I was 12years old.”

Revealing what his favourite boat is to sail, Hurter smiles, “To my Dad's disappointment, I prefer our old Mount Gay 30 as the best yacht to sail on however nothing for me compares to the 49er. It's a handful to say the least but as close to sailing perfection as you can get.”

Our local talent dreams of breaking into the international circuit one day soon, “It wasn't much of an early goal but a 49er campaign would be awesome as well as maybe also joining the 505 circuit for a while. This is mainly around Europe but America could also be an option as my aunt lives just outside Boston. The goal is to achieve well internationally, not necessarily force myself into the Olympics or win at worlds but do as well as possible in what I would like to sail.”

Still being in school, the fledgling sailor has an already impressive list of sailing accolades. “My biggest achievement so far is winning the 2012 Dabchick Nationals and that is probably followed by winning the Youth Interclub Championships (Junior Lipton) on J22s.”

“I was among the PYC Lipton team last year that came fourth in False Bay. Up until then I had a few Dabbie provincials under my belt with a couple of good finishes. I was Point Yacht Club's Youth Sailor of the year in 2010 and Royal Natal Yacht Club's Youth Sailor of the year for 2012.”

With Youth Day approaching, this youthful seadog will be hard at work competing offshore of Durban in the SASKZN Provincial Championships, the first major event in the winter sailing calendar in our warm province.

Chatting to young sailor Andrew Wadsworth

Ola Lipton Challenge Cup

Interview with Andrew Wadsworth

Sailing is in the makeup of Westville sailor, young Andrew Wadsworth as he prepares to take on the finest in the country in the Ola Lipton Challenge Cup.

Wadsworth says with a chuckle, “Some of the guys I am racing against have been sailing longer than I have been alive.” He says earnestly! “I really am looking forward to squaring up against the top guys; it gives me the opportunity to learn from the best in South Africa and showing them what I’ve got to offer!”

The 16year old tanned blond states proudly, “My grandfather, Garth Wadsworth was the Zambian sailing champion. I look up to him and can honestly say he is my hero.”

“Following in his steps of being a great sailor, I would love to compete internationally taking on the best in Worlds, mastering a class. I dream of taking part in a Volvo Ocean race, the tactics involved in that race are intense. You are pushed to your limits when you fly across oceans.”

Asked what his favourite yacht is, he says confidently, “A 49er. It is a smaller, faster racing boat. You usually have two people racing it and with the right partner, you can accelerate extremely fast which is very exciting.”

“I haven’t been sailing competitively for a very long time but I have spent a lot of time getting to know Durban’s waters. I get to crew on my Dad’s boat Therapy, often. I love the challenge of having to react quickly, working fast and just the feeling of being out on the water.”

The Grade 11 from Crawford College on the North Coast was crowned the first junior at this year’s Quantum Sails 9 Hour event at Midmar. “I was delighted with the result. It was my first sailing award. The first of many I hope!”

Chatting about how preparations are going for the biggest sailing event in South Africa, Wadsworth says, “They are going well! We are training hard and sailing harder. Every time I go out, I learn so much.”

“I am hoping that the winter conditions will be perfect for when we take on the Lipton Cup, surfing down waves with the kite up as the strong winds pushes B2G2 even faster. Now that would be fun!”

The fledgling sailor will be spending Youth Day perfecting his passion when he joins his team competing in the L26 KZN Provincials Championships offshore of Durban in preparation for the Curry Cup of sailing, the Ola Lipton Challenge Cup.

Chatting to sailor Chris Kloppenborg

I had the opportunity to catch up with up-and-coming sailor, Chris Kloppenborg when he was on dry land.

Preparing for the upcoming SASKZN Provincial Championship hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club that kicks off a busy winter season for South African sailors, Kloppenborg will be taking to the waters having just completed in the Colorpress Vasco da Gama.

“The Vasco was challenging but fun! We were sailing on an L34 named Zap and it was my second time competing in the biggest blue water event in Southern Africa. The race is a gruelling event testing not only your sailing expertise but also your mental and physical strength and I am happy to say I came out with a smile on my face having learnt a lot and enjoyed the experience!” said a chuffed sailor.

“I enjoy sailing on many different crafts but I must say the most exciting to sail on must be a Hobie 16, you are so close to the water, as you carve through the waves you can hear the water rushing beneath you; it is a complete adrenaline rush!”

The SASKZN Provincial Champs has three events competing under one banner, the brightly coloured smaller zippier Hobies, the L26 yachts and the IRC racing yachts, “It is going to be interesting with all of us sailing on one course! It certainly is going to be a colourful affair. More than likely I will be sailing on the bigger boat but have a few options as to which class I will be racing in.”

The young sailor first began sailing four years ago when he joined the 57^th Durban Sea Scouts. “There are two main things I enjoy about sailing, firstly it clears my mind and when I’m sailing there’s nothing else in my head other than what I’m doing in that moment. Secondly I enjoy the challenge.”

With Youth Day falling on the same weekend as the SASKZN Provincial Championships, the 23year old sailor will be enjoying his time off studying as he relishes in his outdoor passion. “I am currently a student at UKZN studying a BComm, coincidentally the Commodore of the UKZN Yacht Club so if there are any UKZN students interested in getting involved in sailing, get in touch with the Student Union!” he adds.

Asked what his achievements are in sailing, he humbly responds, “Nothing notable.” But looking at his sailing accolades, this seafarer has completed two Vasco which is arguably the toughest ocean race in this country sailing down our challenging coastline. The international race starts in Maputo and concludes in Durban. He also competed in the Flying Fifteen Nationals in December where he came a competitive tenth in an extremely strong fleet.

“I am working on racing in a Cape to Rio; I am aiming to compete in at least one and hoping that will be my next big race. It takes place in February next year.” says a determined Northdene resident. Included on his sailing bucket list is an Equator crossing and some cruising around the Mediterranean.

Since matriculating, Kloppenborg has been studying mostly, “I joined my good friend James Egan for a few months last year in preparing his bike. James is competing in the British Superbike Series this year racing on a Stock 1000.”

When he isn’t fine tuning motorbikes, or sailing Kloppenborg has been heavily involved in Scouts, “I have been a scout for most of my life but this year I haven’t been actively involved with all my other commitments.”

For now, this fabulous young man will be scouting for wind offshore of Durban as he furthers his sailing career.

He concludes, “A perfect day sailing would entail flat seas, moderate winds with our perfect Durban winter warmth spending time with friends offshore of our city!”

Ola Lipton Challenge Cup comes to Durban

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Ola Lipton Challenge Cup Regatta 2013

Offshore Durban: 6 – 12 July

Durban plays host to the biggest sailing event in South Africa, the Ola Lipton Challenge Cup taking place offshore from 7-12 July.

Defending champions, the Royal Natal Yacht Club welcomes the crème-de-la-crème of the country’s ‘yachties’ travelling to our warm waters as they compete in search of the holy grail of the aquatic sport sailing, the historic Lipton Cup.

The fairer Cape has kept a firm grip on the Lipton Cup for well over a decade with a Durban club previously claiming a victory in 1985 when the University of Natal’s Element won the event. The oldest club in Africa, the Royal Natal Yacht Club, after an exceptional three year campaign managed a spectacular victory last year at the 2012 Lipton Challenge Cup in False Bay, winning by a mere one point, bringing the prized silverware back to Durban.

With a shuffle of crew, the sturdy L26 yacht Orion B2G2 will be led by well-known Durban sailor, Patrick Harris with his able crewmen. Their single aim is to keep the cup in Durban. Harris is joined on the deck by Jeremy Kriek, Euan Hurter, Trent Bingham, Andrew Wadsworth, Ngoba Mswazi and Michael Boorman (reserve) making up the Royal Natal Yacht Club team. Three more teams from KwaZulu Natal join the Royals out on the water. 

The Ola Lipton Challenge Cup is a one design class event, meaning that every single yacht is the same design, same length and same weight making the regatta a battle of wits, testing the crews’ skill and capabilities out on the water.

“Durban is ready!” encouraged Phil Downing, Rear Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club. “Sailing offshore Durban in winter is spectacular, the conditions gorgeous. Our guys have been hard at work training for this event and the whole sailing community is behind the team 100%.”

Durban’s winter waters will be a flurry of action as sailors from around the country will be flocking down to Durban to get as much knowledge of the conditions in the regattas leading up to the Ola Lipton Challenge Cup. First up is the KZN Provincials, followed by the L26 Nationals that is run concurrently with the MSC Week.

The Ola Lipton Challenge Cup is hosted by the winning team each year, and was last held in Durban in 2003 when Theeswaterkloof Sports Club from Western Cape opted to race the event in Durban.

Deep sea sailing action is about to hot up with the one hundred and second hosting of the Ola Lipton Challenge Cup that sees sailors from around the country taking to Durban waters to compete in this renowned regatta.

Royal Natal Yacht Club's Lipton Challenge Cup wins: year, vessel and skipper
1958 – Sunmaid, W.I. Hancock; 1959 – Mariquita, W.I. Hancock; 1962 - Mariquita, W.I. Hancock; 1964 - Mariquita, W.I. Hancock; 1965 - Mariquita, W.I. Hancock; 1966 - Mariquita, W.I. Hancock; 1967 – Yvette, R.S. Chedburn; 1971 – Sunrose, J.M. Whittle; 1973 - Sunrose, J.M. Whittle; 2012 – Orion B2G2, Ricky Robinson