Miserable weather over the weekend didn’t dampen the
hearts of Durban sailors as they took to hefty swells in two events.
On Saturday, the second of the Royal Natal Yacht Club’s
Dinghy Series was held in the bay; only twelve yachts braved the gusting winds
that hit Durban before the storm with the smallest of the dinghies deciding
that the weather was a bit too big for their small boats and retreated back to
safety.
Laying a windward leeward course, the port control
indicated the winds were blowing at 27knots in a north easterly direction. Race
Officer Lucy De Freitas got the racing underway with two starts for the two
classes on the water.
Five Flying Fifteens set off with Ballito’s Carl
Zimmerman and Durban’s Mongezi Mfeka jostling for position on the line while
experienced campaigner Jeremy Kriek, letting the drama unfold in front of him,
quietly got on with his sailing. Kriek and his crew member, novice Flying
Fifteen sailor Tjaart Kat from Margate sailed consistently, opting before the
race not to fly their spinnaker in the blustery conditions. The duo led for the entire race, finishing
ahead of Myles White and Estelle Buys, both from the Highway area. White,
sailing on his new boat did well to work his way up the fleet to come second.
Mfeka sailing with Andile Zulu finished third and the two other boats retired
as their boats took a beating from the over 30knot gusts.
In the Laser class, four sailors took the sausage course
with Henry Franken reading the conditions well to lead the smaller boats.
Behind him was Campbell Alexander who has just returned from sailing in
England. Young Michael Dickinson sailing on a Radial, didn’t complete the race
due to his boom being dislodged when a 35 knot gust came through the course
damaging his rigging.
On Sunday, the larger keelers were faced with the dilemma
of wanting to sail but not wanting to damage boats in the massive swells
offshore. The fleet debated for a long time about running the first of their
Offshore Series in the safety of the harbour as outside resembled a washing
machine.
Five yachts raced in the confines of the bay with Sticky
Fingers helmed by the Rear Commodore Rob Samways tussling for the lead with
Gavin Wadsworth sailing on Therapy. Samways had the edge on Therapy but hit the
sandbank which lost him precious minutes, allowing Wadsworth’s nose in front.
For the remainder of the race, Samways had to reel in the bigger yacht, just
managing to get ahead of him moments from the finish. Sticky Fingers took line
honours with Therapy taking handicap honours.
Special mention must be made to Container World crewed
entirely by school kids. The young crew with Eli Brophy Tintinger at the helm
kept persevering in the damp conditions with the four other boats well ahead of
them.
The next sailing for the club is Wednesday for the Sails
and Boating Twilight Series and on Saturday for the conclusion of the Royal
Natal Yacht Club Dinghy Series.
For more info contact Gayle at the Royal Natal Yacht Club
on 031 301 5425.
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