Al takes the 2016 Vasco title in record time

Point Yacht Club

Vasco da Gama Ocean Race

Port Elizabeth: 25 April

Al Mount Gay Rum skippered by Rob van Rooyen goes one better this year, taking line honours in record time and claiming the handicap win in the 45^th edition of the Vasco da Gama Ocean Race hosted by Point Yacht Club.

The defending champ on handicap sailed a flawless race in a time of 2 days 6 hours 1min 22 sec, smashing the record by 56mintues and claiming the double when she arrived in Port Elizabeth yesterday (Monday) evening at 06:01pm. The team of eight from Cape Town were delighted with their victory, “We knew going into the race that getting the double was a possibility, we knew it would be a challenge but anything is possible. A double whammy, it really is wonderful.” an elated van Rooyen said as soon as he reached the moorings.

Continuing, he stated, “We were really disappointed when Yes Girl retired! They sailed a phenomenal race straight out of the starting blocks and into the lead. We were happy if they got line honours, we knew we could take them on the handicap, and our game plan was to beat them tactically. But once they retired, our tactics changed and we eyed out our next opposition, Bellatrix who at that stage were lying in third, behind us before Yes Girl made her way to East London.”

“We opted to sail using the currents, but once the sea state deteriorated, we came inshore. My team did fantastically, all things considering. One or two got seasick, but they dug deep and got over it. The more experienced guys handled the rough weather like champs.”

“Our average age, we worked out is 24 years on the boat. I just turned 30 and two of the other guys are 30. The youngest is 17. So, we are young, eager crew. We all have been sailing on and off together since I was about ten, so we know each other’s abilities, strengths and weaknesses.”

With the fleet getting dished all sorts of weather, being battered by lumpy seas, winds from all directions, van Rooyen commented, “Al was great. I think going into the race that is where we were better compared to the other guys. We have been prepping Al for the last six months and were extremely well prepared and managed to keep the boat in one piece throughout the heavy stuff. She was sailing like a dream. So I do believe we started at an advantage to the rest of the guys, no one else spent half a year readying their boat.”

With the upcoming Cape2 Rio race around the corner, van Rooyen highlighted, “We would consider doing a race like Rio but in all honesty, the Vasco is far more challenging. Yes, the race only last two days but the actual getting to Durban, and sailing along the SA coastline. This race is much more difficult that the Rio race, in my opinion. There is far more adrenaline in this short, burst down the coastline.”

The next boat to cross the line was Durban’s very own Bellatrix skippered by Gregg Hurter, who arrived just over three hours behind Al. The two pushed each other the entire race, down the coastline, both opting to stay relatively close to shore. As they neared the end, Al accelerated in the varying winds, expanding the gap between the two.

After 400NM, two boats diced it all the way towards finish line in the hopes of claiming third across the line. Only one nautical mile separated the two that were due in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday). Rocket, skippered by Herbie Karolius from Cape Town put in a fine display of sailing, having had to return back to sheltered waters, soon after their disastrous start. The Simonis 54 snagged the start buoy as they were heading through the line on the start on Saturday. After a battle to free it, they eventually cut the warp free and started their voyage only to realise that they in fact were dragging the start line’s anchor, which was slowing them down.

Hats off to the dark horse, Yes Girl from Cape Town, skippered by Gabriel Fernandes the L35 Mod looked to have the race wrapped up with a red ribbon, but as ocean racing goes, it isn’t over until you cross the line. In the proverbial all things happen in threes, Yes Girl certainly was dished a threesome. First, as they were heading to the start line, they got stuck on the ‘putty’, beaching themselves at low tide on the sandbank at the end of the marina. They then got themselves tangled around the start line when they got offshore, dragging it for some distance. And then the third and fatal blow to their race, their steering system packed up after the boat was pushed to the maximum late on Sunday, when they were forced to retire to East London.

Joining them in East London, the gorgeous Ray of Light also had to retire due to blowing out their head on their main sail in 40knots wind. Helmed by the husband and wife team, Heidi and Michael Kavanagh will be disappointed as they got brand new sails leading up to this race.

The remainder of the exhausted 16 strong fleet arrived in to Port Elizabeth with only one boat not being able to cross the lien in the allocated time, Izimoyo II skippered by Jasper van der Westhuizen just didn’t make the cut, as they battled with the challenging conditions the whole way from Durban to Port Elizabeth.

For more info visit www.pyc.co.za or like the Facebook page or follow it on YB Tacking

Q&A with awesome sailor, Mike Kavanagh from Ray of Light

I managed to catch up with Mike Kavanagh ahead of the upcoming Vasco da Gama to Port Elizabeth. 

This is what he had to say to the questions I three at him...

Family? 

Married to first mate Heidi and have been blessed with a wonderful son, able seaman Sean.

How many of them sail? 

Heidi and Sean are avid sailors, as are most of our family members. Heidi was born a von Bredow. Some of our family are sailing on the Fast 42, Nemesis in this race. My cousin Graham Cross just dropped anchor in Brazil on a lovely boat called Onyx that was built by my grandfather Harry Cross and finished by my uncle John Cross.

Which area do you live in? 

Oslo Beach, Port Shepstone in KZN

How did you get into sailing? 

I started sailing with my grandfather and uncle as a little boy, on a Flying Dutchman built by my Grandfather. Later, when I was 10 years old, we built a Dabchick during the school holidays, a boat I still own. The dabbie still has a scar from one of the steel marks on Emmarentia dam that I hit while staring at the girls on the windsurfers. In the good old days we used to sail for fun, very little racing. Maybe we should be doing more of that these days. I was privileged to crew on the family Stadt 23, Umoya on Vaal dam when not playing cricket, hockey or golf, which was seldom as a scholar.

What are your achievements in sailing? 

I like to think of myself a good seaman, thanks to the influence of Alex Cousins of Yachtmaster Ocean Sailing School. I have always been competitive in sports and have worked hard to improve as a racing sailor, being largely self taught by applying knowledge gained from a library of ‘go fast’ books, tested on Ray of Light and smaller Flying 15’s and J22’s. For me a notable achievement was being consistently competitive in the Cape Town club sailing scene with a fun loving mixed crew of old and young, men and women, physically and mentally challenged, novices, a couple of French girls and some elderly Hollanders was very rewarding. We enjoyed taking line honours in last year’s Vasco but were disappointed to miss out on handicap, so will be looking to improve this year. I was privileged to be part of Stuart Ritchie’s crew on the Beneteau First 40, BMA that took line honours and the handicap win in the 2011 Vasco. It was that experience that showed me what had to be done to Ray of Light and her crew to convert her to a club racer from a world cruiser. We have been improving our skills and the boat since then and now that we are Durban based, have wonderful close racing on the water and on handicap with Bellatrix (formerly BMA). One more achievement is to have survived a 360 degree roll on a Stadt 23 named Dejavu in a regatta offshore PE in the 1998 while we were debating whether or not to wear life jackets, we were struck by a breaking wave just outside PE harbour. I trust our arrival in PE this year will be less eventful. 

What other class of boats have you / do you sail? 

Apart from Ray of Light we have a lovely wooden decked classic Flying 15 called Femme Fatale that has a long history of sailing in Durban and Saldanha. We try to upset the carbon fibre speed machines in Durban from time to time. We also enjoy fishing on our little ski boat Sport’s Captain.

Best memory or moment that stands out for you so far in sailing? 

Sailing in the Southern Atlantic ocean was unforgettable, with spectacular bird life. Another highlight was watching a marlin chasing our lures while doing 15 knots downwind with the kite up when leaving the Canary Islands. Moments later we crash gybed as the helms person was distracted by the marlin and consequently had to head back to the Canaries for repairs. Returning Ray of Light to Cape Town from Luderitz, jury rigged after being dismasted (due to the failure of a rather light Sparcraft France factory fitting) in the 2012 Governors Cup, with my wife Heidi and 4 year old Sean was memorable. The week long slow motor beat with storm jib and a dabchick sized main into a building south easter while standing watch with my little boy was something to be cherished, as was the tuna we caught far offshore. Vasco 2014 was special as we had Heidi’s dad Pieter and sister Sigi on the crew with us. With Sean it was three generations. Vasco da pigeon joined us 25 miles offshore as we approached and entered to Durban harbour. Fancy a pigeon finding us way out at sea.

What do you most enjoy about sailing? 

I get great joy from being in God’s creation experiencing the freedom of the open ocean while being driven along by the power of the wind. The sea life is always amazing, it’s like an extended game drive! The concentration and focus needed to keep the boat sailing efficiently is a great way to get your mind off life’s other distractions and challenges. Most of all I enjoy sharing the experience with my wife and son.

What are you hoping to achieve in this year’s Vasco da Gama race? 

I would like to arrive safely in PE with the boat and crew in one piece. We have learned that despite rigorous and thorough preparation, unforeseen mishaps happen. I would like to sail the boat to its potential and perhaps catch a 20kg tuna on the way to PE or on the way back to Durban.

What has sailing taught you? 

So many things, including self sufficiency, innovation and problem solving. It has taught me practical skills like how to service a diesel engine, a marine toilet and to replace steering cables (remember to cross them!). Let’s not talk about black water holding tanks. Sailing has taught me the value of teamwork, clear communication, proper preparation and thinking ahead to anticipate what will happen next. It has made a weather man of me and taught me to work hard to fund the passion! Most of all it has allowed me to spend priceless moments with my family at sea and in the bay in a wide variety of circumstances. On a lighter note I have learned to avoid vomit flying from the weather rail and even tack naked as happened in last years Vasco when we got a little too close to the shore while I was down below trying to suit up for the night ahead and was called on deck in a hurry.

Role model in sailing? 

My Grandfather, Uncle and Father in Law who planted and nurtured the love of sailing in me.

Role model in life? 

Jesus Christ

What are you hobbies? 

Golf, fishing, garden cricket with my son

Besides sailing, any other sport you participate in / excel in? 

In the past cricket / hockey / golf, now days sailing and fishing take up most of the spare time with a little golf now and then.

Describe yourself in one word? 

Content

Where would you like to be in five years / what will you like to have achieved? 

I have no five year plan, never have. I try to live each day to the fullest and although difficult, try not to worry about tomorrow, as it will take care of itself.

Anything of interest that you would like to add:

My wife Heidi and son Sean who is now six, have done most of the 20,000 miles we have clocked up together on Ray of Light. The privilege to sail together has been immense; sailing is definitely a great family sport. It saddens me that there are not more families sailing together. I am hopeful that Heidi’s deteriorating physical condition will not prevent her from joining us for this race. We look forward to another voyage together and to sharing the experience with our good friends and crew in the Vasco 2015. We are especially looking forward to the duel with Nemesis, owned by Heidi’s sister Sigi and husband Anthony Bailes.

Royal Natal Yacht Club's Lipton Challenge Cup Team Announced

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Lipton Challenge Cup

Team Announcement

The Royal Natal Yacht Club has announced their team for the 2014 Lipton Challenge Cup that will take place on 24 – 29 August in False Bay, Cape Town.

Hosted by the 2013 victors, False Bay Yacht Club, the Lipton Challenge Cup is the most notorious yacht race in South Africa with teams travelling from across the country in an attempt to claim the magnificent trophy. This is the 105^th challenge that is sailed offshore in South African waters.

Royal Natal Yacht Club won the cup in 2012 bringing the challenge to Durban last year. The team is led by Brennan Robinson who was part of the victorious 2012 team. Robinson will be making his fourth Lipton Challenge Cup campaign. His age belies his experience, along with the 2012 Lipton Challenge Cup win, he has two epic Cape2Rio’s under his belt along with a long list of accomplishments in a variety of classes.

At the announcement, Robinson enthused, “We had a fantastic start to our campaign, not having sailed together as a team we managed to claim the title at L26 KZN Provincials held recently offshore of Durban. But we still have a long way to go to get to the level needed to campaign for the Lipton Challenge Cup. I believe we will put a formidable challenge in for the 2014 cup.”

Back for their second appearance on B2G2, Trent Bingham will be taking the role of helmsman this year and Nqoba Mswazi returns after an impressive 2013 campaign on the bow. Mswazi has just recently competed in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in the cold, hard crossing from China to America in the midst of the Northern hemisphere’s winter.

The youngest on-board happens to also be the youngest sibling of South Africa’s top sailing family; Michaela Robinson joins her older brother Brennan as part of the 6-strong crew. Michaela makes her first appearance at the Lipton Challenge Cup. Her sailing CV is as impressive as her older brother Brennan. She has competed in numerous international regattas as well as doing the Atlantic crossing twice in the Cape2Rio race.

Rounding up the team and the last of the new comers are Thokozani ‘Deejay’ Latha and Refeloa ‘Waterboy’ Zililo. Latha gained invaluable experience when he was part of the39-strong crew on board the tall ship Lord Nelson that that sailed from Durban to Kochi, India. Zililo has just recently competed in the gruelling 300NM  Vasco da Gama yacht race from Maputo to Durban.

The team will be coached by Ricky Robinson, the previous skipper of the 2012 winning team. They are joined by Sandy Samways as Team Manager.

Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Graham Rose said, “We have high hopes for our young team. This is the toughest sailing challenge in South Africa and we wish them everything of the best as they represent our club.”

Positions of the team are

Brennan Robinson (Captain): Trimmer

Trent Bingham: Helmsman

Thokozani Latha: Trimmer

Nqoba Mswazi: Bowman

Michaela Robinson: Tactics

Refeloa Zililo: Halyards

For more info visit www.rnyc.org.za or www.liptoncup.com.

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. 

Royal Natal Yacht Club Vasco da Gama Day One

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Vasco da Gama Race

The 2014 edition of the Vasco da Gama yacht race hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club started this morning (Thursday 19 June) with weather predictions looking like it is going to be tough slog for the 11 boats competing.

The race that started in the bay of Maputo had the sailors racing around Inhaca Island and tackle the elements offshore. The conditions predicted are a thumping South Wester nearing 40knots with big swells.

The navigators will more than likely opt for keeping close to the shore and not heading out towards the strong Aghulas current as the sea conditions will be upside down.

Sailing on the smallest boat, the Rear Commodore of the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Rob Samways helming Sticky Fingers said before his departure, “If the weather does come through we are contemplating three options. Either we are going to take shelter in the Maputo Bay or beat up to Inhaca Island and ride the weather out. The third option that we are talking about is using our tri-sail which will be able to handle the conditions and ride through the nasty stuff.”

Accomplished South African sailor, Brennan Robinson who participated in the epic Cape2Rio at the beginning of the race commented, “We are all going to have to put our heads down and ride out the bad weather. Safety is the main thing out on the water and knowing your boats limits and not pushing them.”

The fleet are due back in Durban in the late hours tomorrow night (Friday) or the early hours of Saturday morning but if the front doesn’t dissipate the fleet may have a later ETA, as late as the early hours of Sunday. This will be scraping it fine as the race has a cut off time of 09:00am on Sunday morning.

The prize giving for the International Blue Water Race will take place at the Royal Natal Yacht Club on Sunday afternoon once all the boats are back in safely in Durban.

All of the fleet participated in the annual Mohante Race yesterday (Wednesday) in a short bay race on a windward leeward race jointly organised by Maputo’s Clube Naval Yacht Club and Royal Natal Yacht Club. Local Mozambican VIP’s joined the Durban sailors on board the 11 boats in the fun inbay race.  A local boat named Cymru also participated in the race.

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

Royal Natal Yacht Club - Vasco da Gama

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Vasco da Gama

Gregg Hurter retained his handicap honours in this year’s Vasco da Gama Yacht Race after a long hard slog from Maputo.

The well-established highlight on the South African yachting calendar that started on Thursday and ended late on Saturday evening lived up to is name of being a gruelling race. On Thursday night, the fleet were hit by a front moving up the coast and then were left with light winds and rolling swells.

Less than one hour separated the top three positions as they finished offshore Durban late Saturday evening (21 June). First across the line was the ‘family’ boat, Ray of Light skippered by Michael Kavanagh from Port Shepstone. They finished in just under two and a half days. The crew comprised of the extended Kavanagh / von Bredow family: father Pieter; daughters Heidi and Sigi; son-in-law Michael ;and Heidi and Michael’s five year old son, Sean together with Sophie Pages; Jacobus Langner and the Rear Commodore Sailing of the Royal Cape Yacht Club, Luke Scott.

Sailing in his second Vasco, Kavanagh stated, “The race was good and hard with more emphasis on hard,” a tired Kavanagh said after the prize giving on Sunday (yesterday) afternoon, “We raced to our strengths which got us through. The crew’s support was phenomenal; even if they were down below battling with the conditions they were still supporting the guys on deck. The bad weather was extremely challenging for us on Thursday night but we .”

“On Saturday we were becalmed about 20miles from the finish so we dropped our sails and jumped in the water. A bit of a breeze came through so we got back to racing, just in time as we spotted a few sails on the horizon.” said a smiling Kavanagh.

The course record holder, Chris Frost on the helm of Southern Storm came second across the line with Hurter on Bellatrix hot on his heels finishing only two minutes later.

Southern Storm’s captain Chris Frost explained, “We were doing well in the heavy weather. The rest of the race the winds were light and fluky and we were a bit too far offshore. At one stage the land breeze picked up and Ray of Light and Bellatrix were rewarded for staying inshore and gained three hours on us. We managed to claw our way back, hauling in Bellatrix but just ran out of runway to reel in Ray of Light.”

A delighted Hurter enthused, “The race was very long! My team manned up on the first night and held together. We had a very wet first night with the guys getting drenched on the rail. On the last day we had Frostie and Ray of Light in sight. We worked so hard and pulled up on Southern Storm but we didn’t manage to pip them on the finish line!”

Congratulating his team, Hurter said, “From the start we had a very structured watch which made things easier. The whole team can be so proud of themselves. Brennan (Robinson) and Struan (Campbell) kept our morale up high throughout the race and Malcolm (Tiley) and Lianne (Tiley) did a fabulous job with the boat admin and keeping us watered and fed.”

The Commodore of the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Graham Rose skippering the L34 Zap was unable to make it before the cut off time, and ended his ninth Vasco attempt with a DNF (Did Not Finish). More than half the fleet didn’t manage to complete the gruelling 300NM with five boats out of the fleet of 11 which started.

In his prize giving speech, Rose said, “The Vasco 2014 lived up to its reputation: all or nothing! The Maputo to Durban International Yacht Race should feature on the Rolex Spirit of Yachting as it encompasses all the drama and prestige.”

Hosts for the regatta, Royal Natal Yacht Club, received the Transvaal Yacht Club award for the Inter-Club Trophy with a second position and a third position.

Bellatrix’s Drew Amoretti received the Choose Life Youth Trophy for the first U25 sailor on IRC handicap. Mike Surgeson navigating on Bellatrix was awarded the Bentley Nuttal Trophy for navigator on the first boat across the line.

Results

Line honours: 1 Ray of Light (Beneteau First 44.5, RNYC) Michael Kavanagh 59 hours 11 minutes 54 seconds, 2 Southern Storm (RNYC) Chris Frost (Pacer 395, RNYC) 60: 00:18, 3 Bellatrix (Beneteau First 40, PYC) Gregg Hurter 60:02:36, 4 Sticky Fingers (Whitbread 30, RNYC) Rob Samways 63:37:06, 5 Pallucci (Simonis 35, RNYC) Warren Clark

On handicap: 1 Bellatrix (PYC) Gregg Hurter, 2 Sticky Fingers (RNYC) Rob Samways, 3 Ray of Light (RNYC) Michael Kavanagh, 4 Southern Storm (RNYC) Chris Frost, 5 Pallucchi (RNYC) Warren Clark