Wrap Up Point Yacht Club's Sangoma Cruise

Offshore: 26 - 30 December

A small fleet of adventurous yachties ventured offshore for the Sangoma Cruise hosted by Point Yacht Club.

The 80 nautical mile cruise had five keelboats entered to participate, with three of the yacht taking the first weather window on Boxing Day, the remaining two checked out to leave on 28 December to catch the South Westerly winds.

First to depart, Ocean Spirit helmed by Neville Bransby set the pace in the dying South Wester on Boxing Day. The enthusiastic team took 12 hours from Durban to Richards Bay. Hot on their heels, the spirited crew sailing on Therapy. And following them was the experienced skipper, Jon Marshall (Rear Commodore of Keelers for Point Yacht Club), on his yacht Majimoto. His crew was small catamaran sailor, Bart Fokkens who had never ventured beyond uMhlanga, clocking up his first overnight passage with the duo taking 18 hours to get into Richards Bay.

The second batch of boats kept an eye on the weather window, opting to wait for the 20 knots South Wester two days later. Round the World Clipper skipper, Craig Millar and his crew on Argo FY departed Durban at 9am. Keen sailor, Robin Hulley was due to sail with Millar on his yacht Mafuta, but as he was heading out the door at his home, his geyser burst, dampening his spirits and not allowing him to compete.

Argo FY had a gentle sail up to Richards Bay, having blown their kite shortly after getting out of the Harbour channel.

"We specifically chose the south Wester to sail up in as the whole team were keen to get offshore and fly the kite. A minute after we hoisted the spinnaker, it gently floated back down to the deck. We fished it back in, and after a debate onboard if our light weather kite would handle the conditions, we opted for the safer option of putting the gib out on the pole and goose winging it." Skipper, Millar said on his return.

From breakwater to breakwater, it took the Argo FY team 10.5 hours to get to Richards Bay, with only one gybe to enter the Harbour mouth as the sun was setting.

Both Therapy and Ocean Spirit had a quick turn around in Richards Bay, catching up on a bit of kip and then catching the North Easter back home before it switched to the South Wester that brought Argo FY up. Ocean Spirit sailed impressively with 11 hours on the clock back home, top speed reaching 17.4knots. The sleek Therapy notched up a top speed of 18knots.

Majimoto missed the window, waiting for Argo FY who were transporting their main sail, Marshall and Fokkens sadly damaged their main on the ride up. Both Argo FY and Majimoto had a day in Richards Bay to carry out a few running repairs before they took to the water on the second last day of the year.

At 6.30am, the two boats made their way offshore in a gentleman's race back to Durban. Argo FY surfed the entire way home, with Millar recording 21knots, pumping the tiller as he caught a swell and surfed his way to the impressive speed. The team made up of Millar, Ed de Lange, and Hannah and Rudi Fokkens made it back in 8 hours and 5 minutes.

"It was a great sail, the team are young, experienced and fantastic onboard. But what really was wonderful about this experience is all the chatter back on land that has been created. The more experienced guys have got the record books out, and have been reminiscing when they used to sail this route regularly. Loads of the guys have said that they are keen to participate in the next one. It is exhilarating to be offshore, and actually sailing somewhere, giving us an opportunity to stretch our legs." Millar stated.

The record set in October 1990 by Sun Tonic, a Royal Cape One Design was skippered by Peter Atkinson.

"And for the next cruise, we will most certainly fly our kite! And who knows, maybe we can get close to Atkinson's record?" Millar said.

Majimoto, with only the two sailors onboard came in sailing most of the way with only their jib up, but still managing to hit a few numbers over 15knots on the speedo. They got back into Durban a couple of hours after Argo FY just after 7:00pm, having been pummelled by the sea state in the howling North Easter.

The next big events this month at Point Yacht Club for the Keelers is the Sigma Series and then Bar Anniversary Pursuit Race for the dinghies.

For more info visit www.pyc.co.za or like the club's Facebook page.

Hobie Epic

Point Yacht Club

Hobie Epic

Thursday 19 February

A small fleet of adrenaline driven sailors set to embark on the annual Point Yacht Club’s Hobie Epic, racing between Durban to Richards Bay.

This is the sixth epic race, with the small catamarans launching from the Point Yacht Club’s Beachsite or at the Zululand Yacht Club and trek all the way along the coast. The fleet are hoping to set off on Thursday, but will need to wait for a good weather opportunity and could be on standby until Sunday 22 February.

Hobie Representative, Peter Hall explained, “If the conditions are a North Easterly wind then the race is a Richards Bay to Durban race, and if the winds happen to be a South Westerly then it is done in reverse from Durban to Richards Bay. The last two years a front has come through on the weekend of the race and a South Westerly has blown launching us at 6:00am racing to Richards Bay.”

The rules are easy, launch at one of the yacht clubs site and sail non-stop up or down to the finish at either the Richards Bay Harbour mouth or at the beach landing at Vetch’s. All boats are fitted with a tracking device to keep an eye on them, with race support shadowing them as they sail along the coastline.

“We are hoping that eight boats will be lining up for this year’s event. The weather window unfortunately clashes with the other sailing endurance event, the well-attended 9 Hour event in Midmar, so we are expecting fewer boats on the water this year.” Hall stated.

Hall has won the event five times on his Hobie 16, and fellow sailor Mark Wijtenburg has dominated the event in the Hobie Tiger division. “It usually takes the Tigers six to eight hours to get to Richards Bay and the Hobie 16s a couple of hours longer.”

This gruelling event takes the small crafts along some of the most treacherous coastline in the world, “The guys get off the water and are exhausted, both physically and mentally drained. But the experience is well worth the demands of the adventure. In a word it is epic!” Hall concluded.

Richards Bay or Durban awaits the arrival of a handful of Hobie sailors as they compete in the Point Yacht Club’s Hobie Epic.

To follow the race, go to www.pyc.co.za or like the clubs Facebook page.

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

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

Ola Lipton Challenge Cup - Zululand Yacht Club

Royal Natal Yacht Club
Zululand Yacht Club

“The last six days at the Ola Lipton Challenge Cup has ignited a passion with the guys, we really enjoyed the competitive sailing and are now hungry for more!”

These are the words of the upbeat skipper, Tyron de Jager chatting while waiting to get their boat out of the water in Durban, having just competed in the most prestigious sailing event in the country.

“Overall the whole regatta was fantastic for us. We went in with a realistic goal of learning as much as we could, that and to enjoy ourselves. I believe we achieved both of these.” a chuffed De Jager said.

The remarkably young focused team did their region proud finishing in 17^th position in South Africa. “We gave it our best. Every day we went offshore with the aim of just finishing the race, we did that and even managed to beat Ithemba racing for the Vaal based Lake Deneys Yacht Club, our closest rival, that was a small victory for us.”

The team with an average age knocking on 20years have notched up a phenomenal amount of experience racing against the crème-de-la-crème of the countries sailors, “We got a taste of the intensity that these guys race with. It was a massive boost for our sailing.”

“From a team aspect, on occasions it was extremely tense but we pulled together. I could not have asked to be partnered with a better bunch of guys. We only managed 12 official trainings before we left. Gerritt has his whole career ahead of him, he is so talented. Chris is extremely keen, strong and fit. Jacques was superb on the bow. Eugene kept the entire ship calm, a good man to have on board. He also helped create a fun vibe on the boat.”

Laughing, he continues. “The week was filled with laughs. On one of the days, we shouted across to Choose Life Lipton ‘Isn’t that a funny place to leave a piano?’ pointing not far off from their boat. That confused the guys for a moment, and got a chuckle out of them.”

Asked if the guys will campaign again? The answer was an enthusiastic, “We definitely want to. The guys and I have been talking about it non-stop! We can’t wait to get back on the water, show our club and our sponsors that have been so good to us that we are committed! We have fallen in love with the sport of sailing.”

“We are looking forward to sitting down with the new committee that is going to be elected soon to set a vision for the next year which will enable us to compete in a number of events, both back home and at some of the other events around the country. I look forward to racing in the MSC Week, the L26 Provincials and Nationals.”

But for now, de Jager is preparing on making the Zululand Yacht Club’s MCU faster, slicker and one of the best L26s in the country. “She is going to get a bit of a makeover, getting refitted and re-rigged. She is already a beautiful boat and really light but we have a few ideas up our sleeve to make her go even faster.”

“With a proper campaign, we aim to break into the top ten!” a determined de Jager concludes.