Cape Town sailors do well in the SA Laser Nationals

SA Laser Nationals

Offshore Durban: 30 April – 3 May

Three future stars from the southern suburbs of Cape Town sailed in the recent SA Laser Nationals over the May Day weekend in Durban.

The trio all had a sterling time on the water, raking in the medals, with Dylan Long being crowned Radial champion, Calvin Gibbs finishing only two points behind Long in second place and Sarah-Jane Deary finishing second in the 4.7 class, as the first girl in her class.

Long tallied up four firsts, two seconds, a third and fourth in the eight races that counted. A total of ten races were sailed in the Radial class, with two of them being discarded.

A really pumped and elated Dylan Long representing Theewater Sports Club, commented after the regatta, “I felt the competition was really good.  Anyone could have won; the regatta was still wide open on the last day. Over the four days there was some stellar wind throughout the regatta made it worthwhile and enjoyable.”

“The best moment of the regatta for me was winning the second last race as I worked as hard as I could to win that race. I pushed the boat and myself to the limits and was rewarded with the win. Every time I go out on the water, I learn a lot and I am really chuffed with how much I improved over the four days.”

Talking about what is next for this future sailing star, he said, “This was the last time sailing a Laser for a while as I am trying my hand at sailing the fast flying 29er. My next goal is to represent my country in this class at the ISAF Youth Worlds in Langkawi, Malaysia at the end of the year. I am looking forward to that challenge; it will be awesome as I will be sailing with my younger brother, Arin.”

Silver medallist, Calvin Gibbs sailing in the Imperial Yacht Club’s colours also had a fantastic time sailing on the warm waters in Durban. Gibbs narrowly missed out from gold by only two points. His score card ended with two firsts, four seconds, a third and a fourth.

Both boys attend Wynberg Boys’ High School. Adding to the long tradition of successful sailors from Wynberg, Old Boy Alistair Keytel had a brilliant time on the water, finishing third in the Laser Standard. He finished ahead of International sailors, Colin Dibb from Australia and Thomas Baumgarti from Brazil.

Damian Gibbs, father of Calvin and South African Sailing Western Cape Committee member enthused, “The 2015 Nationals was an excellent regatta, the kids enjoyed it immensely. Next time I hope to sail myself.”

Sarah-Jane Deary sailing under the Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club burgee sailed superbly in the 4.7 class, finishing second overall behind fellow Western Province sailor, Kai Leslie. The Wynberg Girls’ pupil notched up five second places, two third places and a bronze.

Results

Standard

1 Rudy McNeill (PYC), 2 Rudolph Holm (AYC), 3 Alistair Keytel (ZVYC), 4 Colin Dibb (FSC – Australia), 5 Thomas Baumgarti (YCI –Brazil), 6 Marcello Marcia (VLC), 7 Alan Keen (ZVYC), 8 Trent Bingham (PYC), 9 Campbell Alexander (PYC), 10 Michael McNeill (PYC), 11 Rowen Clark (PYC), 12 Lance Burger (ZVYC), 13 Anthony McMillan (PYC), 14 De-Wet Nel (DYC), 15 Byron Watt (PYC), 16 Ralph Thomas (ZVYC), 17 Andre Bestha (DYC), 18 Thomas Sutherland (ZIC), 19 Deon van der Walt (LDYC), 20 Clive Whitburn (VLC), 21 Myles White (PYC), 22 Nicholas Matter (HMYC), 23 Anthony Arbuthnot (PYC), 24 Andrew Russell (ZYC), 25 Rob Goulden (PYC), 26 David Curtiss (PYC) 27= Henri Frencken (PYC), 27= Brett Clark (VLC)

Radial

1 Dylan Long (TSC), 2 Calvin Gibbs (IYC), 3 Georgou Divaris (KYC), 4 Sam Lombaard (PYC), 5 Ruben Heard (ZYC), 6 James Hellstrom (GLYC), 7 Iliana Boura (VLC), 8 Dominic van der Walt (LDYC), 9 Jethro Brophy Tintinger (PYC), 10 Damian Muller (DAC), 11 Tyron-Lee De Jager (ZYC), 12 Andrew Walford (PYC), 13 Ken Holliday (ZVYC), 14 Megan Eccleston (WYC), 15 Peter Clayton (BSC), 16 Nicholas Forshaw (HMYC), 17 Emma Clark (VLC), 18 Mugammad Peters (DYC), 19 Ross Gaughran (PYC), 20 Tommy Madoda (DYC), 21 Alison Bradfield (ZLC), 22 Megan van der Walt (LDYC), 23 Nicola Burger (ZVYC), 24 Matthew Russell (ZYC), 25 Brendan Geraghty (BSC)

4.7

1 Kai Leslie (ZVYC), 2 Sarah-Jane Deary (ZVYC), 3 Elsje Dijkstra (ZVYC), 4 Megan Robertson (GLYC), 5 Frances Van Breda (PYC), 6 Hannah Fokkens (ISC), 7 Hannah Tiedt (PYC), 8 Kirsten Clark (VLC), 9 Gen Matter (HMYC)

ENDS