Royal Natal Yacht Club Vasco da Gama Day Two

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Vasco da Gama Race

Friday 20 June

After a difficult evening, the fleet of 11 yachts solidered on in the second day of the Vasco da Gama hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club.

The boats were due to arrive back in the early hours of this morning (Saturday) with Gregg Hurter leading the fleet on his yacht Bellatrix. The boats reported on Thursday night swells of over 7m high further out to sea pummelling the boats and winds in excess of 60kph winds making it extremely challenging.

Yesterday the conditions moderated to light south westerly but the residual sea-state was still a washing machine making sailing hard work. The yachts spent the entire trip down the coast towards Durban beating into the lumpy conditions.

Hot on Hurter’s heels, the newcomer to Durban’s sailing fraternity, the magnificent yacht Ray of Light skippered by Michael Kavanagh. Kavanagh and his family having moved up from Cape Town have made an immediate impact on Durban sailing having taken line honours in the most recent offshore race and finishing third on handicap in the Mohante Trophy race in Maputo.

Following the leaders are last year’s yacht that was first over the line, Skitzo helmed by Nigel Miln and then Sticky Fingers, the smallest boat in the fleet skippered by the Rear Commodore of the Royal Natal Yacht Club’s Rob Samways.

“We had a nervous morning when two boats hadn’t reported in and we weren’t getting any pings from their tracking devices. We sent out a precautionary alert to authorities and NSRI were on standby. By early yesterday (Friday) afternoon all the boats were accounted for, a couple of them just had electrical issues.” Said Race Committee Chairman Dave Claxton.

 “We have had one retirement from the race yesterday (Friday) afternoon, the yacht Alacrity skippered by Dave Taylor made his way to Richard’s Bay,” confirmed Claxton. “We are going to hear battle stories from all our bruised sailors who have been battered by this front that passed through!”

Cut off for the final boat is tomorrow (Sunday) at 09.00am. “Most of the fleet will continue to arrive throughout the day (Saturday) and I am sure they will enjoy the 24hour breakfast on arrival that is tradition to present to the sailors after a long race, and of course a hot shower!” Claxton continued.

All of the boats kept close to the coastline attempting to stay out of the channel where the conditions were far worse. Navigators had to keep their boats clear of Durnford and Tugela avoiding breaking waves. It is not often that you see a front extend that far up into the Mozambique Channel.

The prize giving will take place at the Royal Natal Yacht Club tomorrow (Sunday) at noon.

For more info like the Facebook page Vasco da Gama Ocean Race 2014 hosted by Royal Natal Yacht Club.