Wrap Up for Point Yacht Club Flying Fifteen Nationals and Hobie 16 Regionals

Offshore Durban: 16 - 18 December

Three days of adverse conditions tested two small, competitive fleets of sailors competing in the Flying Fifteen Nationals and Hobie 16 Provincials hosted by Point Yacht Club.

In the Flying Fifteen Nationals - No strangers to being at the front of the pack in the magnificent Flying Fifteen class, Patrick Harris and Jeremy Kriek led throughout the regatta, impressively taking top honours in seven out of the nine races, finding it heavy going in the light winds on the final day and finishing second behind Anthony McMillan and Danish sailor, Lauritz Walsøe. Pushing Harris and Kriek throughout the regatta, Campbell Alexander sailing with visiting crew, Dr Stephanie Brown from the UK who scored six seconds, a third and a fourth notching up a second behind Harris and Kriek.

In the Hobie 16 Provincials, the father and son team of Peter and Matthew Hall dominated on the water. The Hall team won all but two races in their eight race regatta. They were chased by inland sailors, brothers Kyle and Justin Lambie.

The Flying Fifteens had the biggest fleet on the water in recent memory, with 11 boats on the water. For the regatta to constitute as a South African Sailing event, they needed 10 boats to start and finish two races. The class was agonisingly close, but it wasn’t meant to be. On day one newcomers to the fleet, Father and son team of Dominic and Marco Collett thought they had enough clearance but hit the sand bank. On the second day offshore, the heavy weather took its toll with Campbell Alexander taking a bite out of Greg Hurters boat, and Hurter and his crew, Michael Surgeson had to limp home. Collett squared took to the ocean for the first time, bravely flying their spinnaker but as luck would have it, a rogue Hobie 16 pitch-poled directly in-front of them, with the mast crashing down onto them, knocking Dominic on the head and into the water, earning him five stitches and sadly destroying their chances of completing a race.

Brown, who sails for Rutland Sailing Club in the British Midlands said, “The sailing was great fun and we were lucky to have lots of wind Saturday and Sunday. Campbell was a fantastic helm to crew for and the fleet was a high level of competition but very welcoming. It was lovely to see such strong support for the newer sailors. The warm waters and big waves were a wonderful change. Thanks to you all for a great trip!”

“Sailing was amazing, a tough race since I had close to no prior experience with FF15 and symmetrical spinnakers. Since I usually sail Lasers the whole event was one big learning curve. The fleet is strong but we had some good races!” enthused Danish sailor, Lauritz Walsøe.

The first day of racing was held in the bay, with conditions being hazardous offshore, with a short, sharp swell and high winds deterring Race Officer extraordinaire, Kevin Bingham. Four races were run in a blustery North Easter course. The second day, racing went offshore with the winds consistently around 15knots and over adding into the mix a bit of a running swell. Bingham got in another four races on Sunday. The entire fleet of Flying Fifteens however, disappeared early from the race track, leaving only the Hobies to sail in the final race on Sunday. On Monday, keeping an eye on the inclement weather enroute, the Hobies didn’t venture onto the water with a depleted fleet of Flying Fifteens gathering ahead of the spectacular midday storm. A strict Bingham gave both fleets a wounding results for not being on the start line, but fortunately with discards, the top sailors results didn’t take a huge knock.

Hobie hero, Garth Loudon only sailed the one race, with his brand-new crew member, his daughter Kristin. A delighted dad said, “Kristin finally showed interest in sailing, so we had a quick lesson on Sunday morning and entered one of the races. It was great to be back on the water again! We managed a second place in good winds. Peter and Matthew were sailing very well, was good to see!”

The next event for the enthusiastic fleet is the upcoming Bar Anniversary Pursuit Race that will be sailed in the harbour at the end of the month.

Results

Flying Fifteen Nationals

1 Patrick Harris / Jeremy Kriek 9pts, 2 Campbell Alexander / Steph Brown 19pts, 3 Anthony McMillan / Lauritz Walsøe 32pts. 4 Craig Campbell / Nhlanhla Phakathi 36pts, 5 Myles White / Estelle Buys 38pts, 6 Thomas Funke / Peter Funke 51pts, 7 Hannah Fokkens / Rudi Fokkens 64pts, 8 Greg Hurter / Mike Surgeson 65pts, 9 Iain Bowman / Jan Larkens 80pts, 10 Chris Coxen / Michael Boorman 82pts, 11 Dominic Collett / Marco Collett 96pts

Hobie 16 Provincials

1 Peter Hall / Matthew Hall 8pts, 2 Kyle Lambie / Justin Lambie 26pts, 3 Andrew Heathcote / Blake Davidson 26pts, 4 Mike Goodyer / Jennifer Goodyer 36pts, 5 Jethro Brophy Tintinger / Stephanie Goodyer 36pts, 6 Dylan Albert / Chad Stevenson 49pts, 7 Justin Butler / James Butler 49pts, 8 Wayne Smith / Kate Bain 59pts, 9 Dylan Lambie / Cameron Booth 64pts, 10 Garth Loudon / Kristin Loudon 68pts, 11Ruddi Rogge / Sven Paton 81pts

A few questions with catamaran sailor, Wayne Smith

Wayne Smith is one of Durban’s most enthusiastic and accomplished Hobie sailors. He sails with his girlfriend, Kate Bains and the duo will be competing in the Hobie Nationals over the Easter weekend sailing offshore of Durban. He has competed in the Hobie 16 World championships in Port Elizabeth and the Hobie Tiger World Champs in Langebaan. He also sailed his Hobie 16 in the World Masters games in Sydney in 2009. He picked up his interest in sailing from his father who was a competitive sailor in the 60's and 70's.

I attended Athlone Primary School and Maritzburg College High School in Pietermaritzburg and went on to study a BSc in Building Science at the University of KZN-Durban. I have travelled and worked in the builders industry in several places around the world but always gravitate back to good ol' Durbs. Currently in a relationship with a fantastic lady, Kate Bain, who manages the care of orphans in Northern KZN and I try dedicate some of my time supporting her in her endeavour. I am currently involved in developing some residential units in Westville and spend much of my free time involved in sailing through Point Yacht Club. Either trying to promote it or participating in events.

  

What do you love about your town and province?

Mainly...it’s home. And what makes it home is the friends and family here. Of course the climate, landscape and sea just add the finishing touches. Durban is very multi-cultural which adds to the flavour, enchantment and excitement of the city.

What is your favourite destination in the province if you want to take some time out?

The Drakensburg. The backdrop of majestic mountains against the silent starry sky is soul-stuff. The tranquillity contrasts to the hustle and bustle of Durban city life.

Sports & Hobbies?

All through school and varsity I did gymnastics and carried on to do diving, mountain biking, white water kayaking, climbing, water skiing ... but now days anything with a sail is my preference. I began windsurfing at high school and still enjoy the sport although now days I sail Hobie catamarans and micro multi hulls more often. I even have a remote controlled yacht just to show my age!!!

Favourite food and drinks; any place(s) you want to recommend to people?

Almost everything my girlfriend cooks, not only cos she has cooked it GF but she is a damn good cook. I love a medium steak with lots of garlic, my favourite place for the best meat meal in the world is Joops' Place....mmmmmm. I am not impartial to tequila when the party's on but beer especially the growing number of craft beers available make for good after action socialising. Red wine has its place but I am not too up myself enough to think life can’t go on without a good (expensive) red.

Favourite vacation place outside KZN?

Langebaan in summer. A taste of Mediterranean Europe in Africa....lots of foreigners and of course the wind blows.

Any gems you found in the province?

Yes, the bum slide in the gorge near Wonder Cave in the Central Berg and Karlkloof canopy tours, it’s exciting and the location is beautiful.

How do you manage work and home life?

Awfully by all accounts but that depends on who you asking, currently its more squewed to 'life' than 'work'....

What is the best part of your job?

Self Employed so having work is always a good thing but also meeting a variety of people that the industry offers is exciting and challenging...also the boss is very reasonable at times and allows time off for good work / life balance.

What is the worst part of your job? 

Not having work and the boss can be difficult sometimes...

What is the one thing about your to town/province that you think everybody should know?

Its location for outdoor activities is one of the best in the world. Local government needs to understand this and support and develop this potential.

"If I had all the money in the world I would ...

Overthrow the government, ensure my girlfriend’s foundation, Izulu Orphan Projects, became financially secure and self-sustaining (as they get absolutely no Government assistance)....oh yes and of course buy a 60ft catamaran and cruise the Mediterranean."

RNYC Dinghy Series and Umhloti Mayor's Race

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Dinghy Series and Umhloti Mayor’s Race

Harbour: Saturday 24 January

Offshore: Sunday 25 January

Two days of blue sky sailing hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club for a variety of Durban sailors took place offshore and in the harbour over the weekend.

The conclusion of the Dinghy Series hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club on Saturday saw Campbell Alexander and Chris Clark take the honours in the Flying Fifteens, Rob Samways and Jared Quinn on their Dart and Henri Frencken in the Laser class.

Race officer Jennifer Weyer only managed to get in two races for the 11 boats on Saturday. The conditions were near perfect with blue skies and 13 – 15 knots of wind powering the dinghies. Setting a long windward leeward course on the far side of the bay, the fleet took off punctually. Just as the boats neared the finish line, the first race was abandoned due to a large vessel being moved near the course. Racing eventually got under way.

There were two starts with the Flying Fifteens and Lasers sharing a start sequence and the two Darts and one Halcat going off in the second. Graham Weyer and Neil Wadsworth got off to a cracker of a start in both races, camping near the line and timing the start magnificently.

After the race, Neil Wadsworth stated, “My body is broken! But what a thrill being on the Dart, it carves through the water.”

Newcomers to the Flying Fifteen fleet, Struan Campbell and Richard Weddle worked hard and pushed the more experienced Flying Fifteens. The duo managed to take the second race after a fantastic race.

Offshore on Sunday 13 yachts started in the Umhloti Mayor’s Race in light winds and lumpy seas. The long distance race took the fleet north a nautical mile beyond the uMhlanga lighthouse. The Bill Piddington Trophy was won by Rick Parker, the trophy is awarded to the first over 60 year old helmsman. Rick Parker was at the wheel of second placed Bellatrix.

Ray of Light helmed by Heidi Kavanagh streaked ahead straight out of the starting blocks. The team seemed to have a comfortable lead as they neared the weather mark offshore of uMhlanga. Warren Clark skippering Pallucci had a cracker of a beat having opted to go offshore and out of sight while the rest of the fleet stayed inshore, Clark rounded the buoy moments after Ray of Light.

On the finish, Ray of Light showed her prowess crossing the line first with Bellatrix having a marvellous run, finishing six minutes behind of Kavanagh’s crew. There was a long wait until the third boat with the committee boating waiting just over an hour. Pallucci had a disappointing run claiming third in line honours with Jon Marshall at the wheel of Majimoto finishing five seconds behind Clark.

Another tussle took place in the multihulls between Bill Ellens on his trimaran Magic Dragon and Sean Jones on his catamaran Bandit. Ellens had a little more puff thad Jones, crossing the line two minutes ahead.

The Commodore of the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Graham Rose armed with his secret weapon, top hot shot sailor who is competing internationally, Jared Quinn; were unable to complete the race in the allocated 5hours and 15minutes for the race.

Of the 13 yachts that started only seven managed to finish, five retired from the race and Zap unfortunately not making the cut off time.

“I only have one word for that race,” Gavin Wadsworth, skipper of Therapy said back at the club house, “Frustration! There were loads of holes where we stalled. We had a decent beat, lying second at one stage but often lost boat speed in patches were there was no wind.”

This weekend sees the Point Yacht Club Class Champs on Saturday and the Royal Natal Yacht Club Waterfront Catamaran Series resumes.

For more info visit www.rnyc.org.za or like their Facebook page.

Point Yacht Club Caney Series Day Two

11 boats ventured out for a gentle sail for race two of Point Yacht Club’s Caney Series held offshore of Durban on Sunday.

Andrew Dolloway sailing on his trimaran, Ladybird was the first boat to finish the long figure of 8 course sneaking across the line in under two and a half hours. He started towards the back of the fleet but made the early break with a starboard tack which paid off well for the pacey trimaran. 

 

Rounding the fairway marker with a comfortable lead, he confidently flew his kite down to the first mark set off Moses Mabhida Stadium, but had to gybe twice losing a bit of time as he neared land. Having a better line to the bottom mark, Crazy Diamond’s Wayne Smith managed to gain some ground on Ladybird as he went around the second mark but wasn’t able to keep up with Dolloway on the remaining beat to Virginia Beach and run to the finish near the harbour mouth. Smith and his crew crossed the line seven minutes behind Dolloway.

Bandit with Sean Jones on the stick had a quiet day on the water finishing in third place, quite a way behind his rival Crazy Diamond. Adrenaline junkie, Sean Jones usually ventures out when the breeze  blows more than 10knots decided to enjoy the tranquil conditions.

Rear Commodore for Keelers, Jon Marshall helming Majimoto, who topped the leader board after the first race of the series in December, was again the first monohull across the line. He was followed by Stuart Ritchie sailing the sleek So Basic with the Commodore of the Royal Natal Yacht Club’s Graham Rose on Zap coming across in third.

Point Yacht Club’s Honorary Commodore, Vernon Goss skippering Bellissima had a disappointing day on the water taking the wrong line to the first mark which cost him dearly, and Goss and his crew found themselves right at the back of the fleet. After the scenic beat up to the fairway mark, the crew opted to call it a day, not finishing the race. At the start of the race, Zap were in third place overall on the leader board behind Bellissima but now with Bellissima not finishing, Zap will climb the board into second place behind Marshall.

The much smaller Hobies joined the race to get in some much needed water time leading up to their Nationals taking place in April. Recent birthday boy, 80 year old Al Gorlei trekked out to the fairway mark but called it a day after rounding the mark on the horizon slowly making his way back to the beach site. Two of the Hobies opted to only sail the first triangle, cutting their race short in the calm conditions.

The only sailors on their Hobie to determinedly finish the full figure of 8 were Justin and James Butler, gliding across the line shortly after Majimoto.

Light easterly winds of about 3knots greeted the seven keel boats and four Hobies as they made their way through the start line. Gradually the consistent easterly built to 7knots giving the boats a bit more umph as they completed the long winding course.

This Sunday will be the third race in the Caney Series held offshore. For more info visit www.pyc.org.za or like their Facebook page.

Overall Results

A Division

1 Majimoto (Jon Marshall) 2points, 2 Zap (Graham Rose) 5pts, 3 Vernon Goss (Bellissima) 9pts, 4 So Basic (Stuart Ritchie) 10ts, 5 Container World (Brendan Humphries) 11pts, 6 Bellatrix (Gregg Hurter) 14pts

Multihulls

1 Crazy Diamond (Wayne Smith) 2pts, 2 Bandit (Sean Jones) 4pts, 3 Ladybird (Andrew Dolloway) 7pts

Race Two Results

A Division

1 Majimoto (Jon Marshall), 2 So Basic (Stuart Ritchie), 3 Zap (Graham Rose), DNF Bellissima (Vernon Goss)

Multihulls

1 Ladybird (Andrew Dolloway), 2 Crazy Diamond (Wayne Smtih), 3 Bandit (Sean Jones)

RNYC Dinghy Bay Series and PYC Sigma Series

Royal Natal Yacht Club and Point Yacht Club

Durban Harbour: Dinghy Bay Series

Offshore: Sigma Series

November got off to an uneventful start for Durban’s sailors with two events taking place this weekend.

The first on Saturday afternoon was day one of the Royal Natal Yacht Club Dinghy Spring Series held in the bay. Overcast and drizzly conditions greeted the braver sailors that ventured out into the unpleasant conditions. A tiny fleet of five dinghies participated in a windward leeward short sprint in the bay.

Race officer, Derek Wilkes managed to get in three races before having to call it a day due to shipping movements right where the short course was laid. The intermittent rain together with winds of around 3-5knots made conditions slow going for the small boats.

The second event had 11 boats participate in the first race of the Sigma Series hosted by the Point Yacht Club.

The intended course was going to be the more challenging bunny ear course where the boats had to head along the coastline from Vetches Pier towards the Blue Waters Hotel and back to the start where they had to turn around and head offshore towards the fairway mark and then head back to the finish line.

The predicted light easterly breeze greeted sailors but the tranquil conditions deteriorated for sailing leaving the hefty boats with hardly any power in their sails.

Race Officer, Ron Pet announced to the fleet after as the time neared an hour that racing would be abandoned as most of the sails just fluffed around, not driving the boat anywhere.

Pet made a general announcement to all yachts racing that the race was abandoned, the leader of the race, Glenwood’s Sean Jones sailing on his fast flying multihull Bandit responded, “Correction Race Officer, the announcement should have stated ‘All yachts bobbing, racing is abandoned.’”

Round two of both events take place this coming weekend. For more info on both events visit www.rnyc.org.za for the Dinghy Spring Series, or visit www.pyc.co.za for the Sigma Series.

Results

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Dinghy Spring Series

Saturday 1 November

Day One

1 Trevor Gibb / Ian Bowman (Mirror) 4pts, 2 David Curtiss (Rebel) 7pts, 3 Cameron Parle (RS Tera) 10pts, 4 Chad Stevenson (Extra) 13pts, 5 Dylan Alberts (Hobie 14) 13pts

Point Yacht Club

Sigma Series

Sunday 2 November

Day One

Racing Abandoned

Bandit (Sean Jones), Bellatrix (Gregg Hurter), Bellissima (Vernon Goss), Caversham Caprice (Richard Crockett), Crazy Diamond (Wayne Smith), Container World (Eli Brophy-Tintinger), Flyer (Brad Rayson), Majimoto (Jon Marshall), Ray of Light (Heidi Kavanagh), Zap (Graham Rose), Zing (Gavin Smith)

Wrap up for Jonsson Cup Pursuit Race

Point Yacht Club

Jonsson Cup Pursuit Race

A zig-zag course in the bay had a fleet of 53 dinghies travelling to all corners of the harbour on Saturday with Jon Marshall from Westville claiming the honours in Point Yacht Club’s Jonsson Cup Pursuit Race.

Marshall, the Rear Commodore for Keelers at Point Yacht Club traded in his larger, more familiar chariot for a much smaller Laser. The race that got underway just beyond the Durban Marina saw the large mixed fleet head off in light conditions towards the harbour mouth.

“It was a bit of an obstacle course dodging the busy afternoon shipping movements. On our first beat up we encountered our first challenge, a massive container ship arriving with a bevy of tugs around her. We had a few more large vessels we had to quickly get out the way of.” Marshall said when back on land.

“It was a fantastic race, long and hard work but great to be out there with all the guys. I am delighted with the win and just managed to take Gregg (Dobson) as we made our way down to the finish.” an elated Marshall said.

Gregg Dobson who has recently returned to Durban couldn’t wait to participate. The experienced yachite led for most of the race on his Laser, with Marshall just off his shoulder as they tackled the winding course designed to last two hours. As the duo neared the finish, Dobson opted for the more sheltered inland approach as Marshall didn’t go so near to land.

The finish line was set off in the shadow of the Bluff which gave the fleet their final challenge as the light winds dropped and then filled in making the final push to the line somewhat agonising for most. Marshall managed to crawl across the line as his nearest competitor, Dobson stalled with the wind taking ages to give him a lift, and in those vital moments, the duo racing on a Flying Fifteen, Paul Changion and Tim Duiguid slipped across the line having taken the open water approach to the line catching the ocean breeze before it got to the stranded Dobson.

Marshall was in one of the larger fleets with 11 full rig Lasers on the water and a couple of smaller Lasers getting in some water time as well. The Flying Fifteens were the next best represented class with eight crafts taking up the challenge. There were a few larger ‘dinghies’ as well with a few youngsters getting in some training on the L26 Container World and two other keel boats participating.

The first junior to cross the line was Alex Thorpe helming a classic little Gypsey with his Dad, Ralph. The easy to sail Gypsey is a South African designed two person boat that is ideal for learning to sail in. The Thorpes finished 21^st overall.

The long hard slog for the 53 small boats ended with Jon Marshall crossing the line in just under two hours in Point Yacht Club’s Jonsson Cup Pursuit Race on Saturday.

Results

1 Jon Marshal (Laser), 2 Paul Changuion / Tim Duguid (FF15), 3 Gregg Dobson (Laser), 4 Martin Zimmerman / Carl Zimmerman (FF15), 5 Rudy McNeill (Laser), 6 Andrew Walford (Laser), 7 Campbell Alexander / Chris Clark (FF15), 8 Anthony MacMillan (Laser), 9 Patrick Harris / Jeremy Kriek (FF15), 10 Gregg Hurter / Nic Albert (FF15), 11 Myles White (FF15), 12 Henri Frencken (Laser), 13 Rob Goulden (Laser), 14 Trent Bingham (Laser), 15 Heidi Kavanagh, Michael Kavanagh (FF15), 16 Bill Evans (Dragonfly), 17 Ricky Robinson (Sprog), 18 Anthony Arbuthnot (Laser), 19 Alec Lanham-Love / Greg de Beyer (49er), 20 Rob Tarboton / Michael Dickinson (29er), 21 Alex Thorpe / Ralph Thorpe (Gypsey), 22 Denmar Nel (Laser), 23 Dylan Albert (Dabchick), 24 David Curtis (Rebel), 25 Tony Alison / Pam Zarnack (Rebel), 26 Jacky Barnard / Clynton de Finn (Mistral), 27 Jethro Brophy – Tintinger / Eli Brophy – Tintinger (420), 28 CJ Miln (Laser), 29 Peter Hall (Hobie 14), 30 Bart Fokkens / Hannah Fokkens (Halcat), 31 Paul Ridsdale (Hobie 16), 32 John Banfield / John Banfield Jnr (FF15), 33 Simon Musgrave (Laser), 34 Liam Fennessy / Tristan Hancock (Hobie 16), 35 Justin Butler / Murray May (Hobie 16), 36 Sean Hurter / Benji Daniels (29er), 37 Wayne Smith (Hobie 14), 38 Richard Potgieter (Halcat), 39 Nic Koekemoer (Halcat), 40 Bruce Edward (Paper Tiger), 41 Hannah Tiedt (Laser 4.7), 42 Colin Fleming (Hobie 14 Turbo), 43 Brendan Humphries (L26), 44 Cameron Parle (RS Tera Sport), 45 Sven Paton (RS Tera Pro) 46 Matthew Hall / Chad Stevenson (Hobie Dragon), DNF James Butler (RS Tera Pro), DNF Braeden Royal / Yashir Seetal (RS Feva), DNF Trevor Gibb / Jessica Fennesy (Mirror), DNF Straun Campbell / Janet Campbell (Argie 15), DNF Richard Bates (Laser), DNF Andrew Butler (Extra), DNS Ayanda Idube (Tera)

WOZA Friday Catamaran Series

Royal Natal Yacht Club

WOZA Friday Catamaran Series

In the Bay: Friday 7 November

The fourth episode in the Royal Natal Yacht Club’s Woza Friday Catamaran Series will be sailed on the sand bank adjacent to the club as the sun begins to set on Friday 7 November.

The interactive race sees the speedy catamaran’s sailing directly off the banks of the club once a month during the spring tide allowing spectators front row seats to watch the racing on dry land. A number of Halcats and Hobies take to the shallow water as they race around a windward leeward course.

The fleet of yachts is steadily increasing as the series grows in popularity. Keel boat sailors are adding to their stable the small versatile crafts that glide effortlessly on top of the water. With the absent keel, the catamarans are able to cut across the surface of the water.

“This series has proven to be a fantastic regatta. Families come down and support from the banks. More importantly, the amount of youngsters queuing up to sail is encouraging for our sport. Our youngest, nine year old Mitchel is the first one there donning his life jacket and going through the checks making sure Dad’s boat is good to sail.” a delighted Rear Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Rob Samways said.

Continuing, Samways commented, “Since the inception of this series, we have had three different monthly winners, a good indication of how competitive, and fun the sailing is.”

 

The most recent recipient to have his name engraved on the ‘Woza Mug’ is Queenburgh’s Graham Weyer, “He really had ‘wings’ and showed us all how it is done, with two bullets, to take the overall first result on handicap as well.” an envious Samways said after he placed second and fifth in the two races.

Most of the boats are sailed one up with two boats sailing two up, Gavin Wadsworth sailing with his son Mitchel and Neil Wadsworth sailing with his wife Linda.

 “In the third series we had nine Halcats but new comer, James Goss sailing on his recently acquired Halcat broke his rudder launching and never got to compete. So hopefully his boat will be repaired in time for the next round.” concluded Samways.

For more info visit www.rnyc.org.za or contact Kearin on 031 301 5425.

Results for the third Catamaran Series held in October

Race one

1 Graham Weyer (One Up), 2 Rob Samways (One Up), 3 Gavin Wadsworth (Two Up), 4 Neil Wadsworth (Two Up), 5 Coert Grobbelaar (One Up), 6 Brad Rayson (One Up), 7 Phil Downing (One Up), 8 Jeff Rose (One Up), 9 James Goss (One Up)

Race two

1 Graham Weyer (One Up), 2 Gavin Wadsworth (Two Up), 3 Coert Grobbelaar (One Up), 4 Neil Wadsworth (Two Up), 5 Rob Samways (One Up), 6 Brad Rayson (One Up), 7 Phil Downing (One Up), 8 Jeff Rose (One Up), 9 James Goss (One Up)

Royal Natal Yacht Club Catamaran Series

The exciting third day in the Catamaran Series got underway directly in front of the Royal Natal Yacht Club lawns on Saturday 9 August.

Ten catamarans including nine halcats and one Hobie 16 attacked the course in vigour in the waste-high water making full use of the spring tide.  Four races were completed with the final race being shortened as the wind died off leaving glassy testing conditions for the yachties.

Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Graham Rose stated, “Out of all of the boats that took part today, we had half of the guys racing halcats for the first time. Our youngest sailor on the water was 9years old and the smile on his face at the end of the day is what it is all about! The enjoyment of being out on the water!”

The boats flew in the open with a number of the more adventurous allowing their cats to heel over raising one hull out of the water. As the boats neared the weather mark, the wind dropped off obstructed by the buildings, leaving big holes of tranquillity that tested the sailors. 

“What is fantastic about this idea is that the crowds sitting on the lawns actually have front row seats for the action. Sailing all of a sudden becomes a spectator friendly sport. We heard cheering and chirps from the lawns this afternoon. Everyone enjoyed themselves tremendously, both on the water and on the lawns.” Rear Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club Rob Samways raved.

The final race got under starters orders just after 4pm with the surrounding water glistening in completely still conditions. The fleet crawled their way over the line, with Race Officer Carol Ferguson debating to abandon the race. As the colourful sails moved further away from the club, a smidgen of a breeze filled in.

The slow agonising race humorously turned as race leader, Samways chased the wind down to Wilson’s Wharf and got caught in a patch of zero wind battling to return to the finish of the shortened race. Roy Close racing close to the rhumb line impressively stole the race, finishing in a well-earned first. The fleet actually drifted across the line with no wind assistance with majority of the fleet concerned that the turning tide would actually take them further away from the finish line.

Adrenaline junkie, Michael Dickinson and his crew member Dylan XYZ got bored of the calm conditions and as they neared the finish, lay on the front of the hull opting for the faster option of paddling with their arms to get back to shore.

“We have more than doubled the numbers in two weeks. Our first event we had four boats on the water and today we had ten. There were a number of curious guys on the lawns and chatting to them there were promises that there would be more boats on the water!” Samways continued.

Next event for the catamarans will be this Friday (15 August) with a twilight sail starting at 4pm. The annual prize giving for the Royal Natal Yacht Club takes place this Saturday (16 August) and the next major event for South African sailors is the prestigious Lipton Challenge Cup in False Bay on the 24 August.

For more info visit www.rnyc.org.za or contact the club on 031 301 5425.