SA Laser Nationals
Durban: 30 April – 3 May
The 2015 edition of the SA Laser Nationals will unfold
offshore off Durban over the May Day weekend kicking off on 30 April until 3
May.
The Laser is the most popular single-handed sailing dinghy
in the world and the annual event is hoping that close to 80 boats from around
the country will hit the water to compete. Top South African sailors along with
a handful of international competitors will take to the Indian Ocean in the
hope of being crowned national champion.
Lining up at the start to defend their titles that they
won last year in the Western Cape will be local lads, Rudy McNeil and Sam
Lombard together with the rose of Durban’s Laser community, Frances van Breda.
Van Breda recently competed in the 2014 Audi Laser Master World Championships
in France, with the lessons learnt in Europe, she promises to be a feisty
competitor in her home conditions.
Another big name is the 2012 winner from when it was last
held in Durban; Stefano Marcia from Cape Town has been doing loads of training
in Spain and more recently in Australia in his campaign to compete in the 2016
Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Australian Grand Master, Colin Dibb confirmed that he
would be travelling to his place of birth to compete. With a string of world
champion titles to his name, he will be returning to his old hunting ground to
show his class. Dibb came third overall in the 2012 Laser Nationals and was the
recipient of the Grand Master or ‘Greybeard’ Trophy.
Top local lads, Rudy McNeil and Sam Lombard will be back
to defend their titles, along with top national and international sailors.
McNeil is hoping that 2015 will be a better year for him having been plagued by
injuries last year. The young Lombard recently competed in Japan, not doing as
well as he had hoped, finishing 21st in the silver fleet but claims that he
hopes to improve on his performance in years to come.
Joining them are other locals Michael McNeil who placed
third in his class last year; Campbell Alexander; Trent Bingham; and Richard
Bates. Doing well on the club circuit, Henri Frencken will also be hitting the
water.
Flying the flag for the Western Cape contingent along
with Marcia are Alan Keen, Ken Holiday, Lance Burger, Ralph Thomas and Alistair
Keytel. Keen is preparing for the Laser Worlds in Kingston, Canada taking place
in July.
Rudolph Holm and Shellee Nel will be leading a contingent
of young sailors from Gauteng.
Campbell Alexander stated, “This is the second time in
many years that we are hosting the Laser Nationals in our home waters. Durban
in May is at its best with the beach, the sun, the great sea swells and good
breeze – and when the breeze picks up fantastic wave riding. I am sure that
everyone competing will love our “Durban, the warmest place to be” conditions.”
Leading up to the Nationals, Richards Bay will host the
KZN Provincials offshore. A fleet of sailors will use this opportunity to get
in some much needed time on the water before the big event.
Laser – a swell boat to sail, the South African Laser
Nationals will be taking place in Durban from 30 April to 3 May.
For more info visit: http://www.laser.org.za/, https://salasernationals.wordpress.com or
like the Facebook page.
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