Chatting to seasoned Laser sailor, Anthony Arbuthnot

Point Yacht Club

SA Laser Nationals

Interview with Anthony Arbuthnot

A regular face on the water most Saturdays, the quietly keen Anthony Arbuthnot is gearing up for the upcoming SA Laser Nationals at the end of the month.

Arbuthnot has been a regular competitor in the Durban sailing community over a number of years, “I’ve loved sailing from a young age, sailing Dabchicks at PYC. I wore my Dad down nagging, who eventually bought me a Tack. I designed and built an 8ft catamaran, at aged 11, called the Titchcat, which I sailed extensively in the Midlands, on Punch Barlow’s farm which is now Boschhoek. The scene of some spectacular capsizes.” he admits with a chuckle.

“I have also had the honour to cruise a bit of the world. A fond memory was when we sailed to America from Durban in 1982, and arrived at night in Fernando de Noronha, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. The first time we hoisted our spinnaker on our Leopard 40 in the Caribbean with my whole family on board, to the sounds of Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack; that was a pretty surreal, fun moment.”

“Sailing is truly magical. The people involved make it so. The Laser sailors come from all walks of life and a huge spread of ages, and there is huge camaraderie amongst the men and women.”

“Besides being magical, it also teaches you valuable life lessons! Laser sailing especially teaches you great humility and that it’s no one’s fault but your own when you’re upside down, at the back of the fleet.”

Asked how he would describe himself in one word, he laughs stating, “Old!”

  

The Vause Road resident is completely entrenched in his neighbourhood, “I grew up in Vause Road, spending 20 years in our family home until I was 22years old. The last 20 years I have been happily married living in the house next door to my family home.”

“My beautiful wife of 27 years, Nicole understands and encourages my passion for the sea. I have three kids, oldest son James is 25, my daughter Alexandra is 19 and youngest, Guy has just turned 18. All of them sail on our Catamaran but none sail dinghies with me. Nicole used to crew for me on a Sprog, in the 80’s.”

Off the water, the seasoned sailor has a diverse range of activities, “Flying, I am lucky enough to have two aeroplanes and fly whenever I get the chance. And diving and the odd mountain and road bike ride. Oh yes, and cooking. I can cook up a storm.” he admits enthusiastically.

Chatting about his aquatic achievements, the eager yachtsmen said, “I have dabbled on Dabchicks, Mirrors, Tacks, Sprogs, Paper Tigers, Hobie 14 & 16s, Lasers and Flying Fifteens. Raced extensively on L26s then L 34s! Participated in a few RCOD speed attempts in the Vasco and from Richards Bay. Closest we came was on an Adrenalin, 43 Foot Cat, sailing 3 up at 28 knots average till we were hit by a Westerly off the Northern Breakwater.”

His role model in sailing is respected Henri Hiddes, “The most revered bowman in the Whitbread fleet, and the most fun guy I’ve ever has the privilege of sailing with! But in everyday life, I look up to my Dad.”

  

“I can proudly say my greatest achievement is that I am content. I am eternally blessed to have such a wonderful wife and kids, and I have the best friends a man could ask for. Hope the future years is as much fun as the last 50.”

Over the May Day weekend, let’s hope that the content Arbuthnot’s experience holds him in good stead as he takes on top national and international sailors offshore of Durban.

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.

2015 SA Laser Nationals

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.

Royal Natal Yacht Club's Battle of Trafalgar

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Battle of Trafalgar Pursuit Race

Offshore Durban: Sunday 16 November

Ray of Light helmed by Heidi Kavanagh was in a league of their own as they convincingly took the honours in the Battle of Trafalgar Pursuit Race hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club offshore on Sunday.

The husband and wife team Michael and Heidi owned the pursuit race crossing the line two minutes ahead of nearest competitor, Wayne Smith racing on his catamaran Crazy Diamond. Smith was the last out of the blocks in the pursuit race and reeled in 8 boats, sailing a magnificent race to finish behind Ray of Light.

The Kavanagh’s large 43.8 foot boat crossed the start line over a minute after their start time under the power of the spinnaker.  After a good run down to the leeward mark, the crew dropped the bag and prepared to round the buoy. As the team settled in on the rail, one of their men a bit too enthusiastically in getting to his position went overboard.

“Once we saw him go over, we overshot the mark so that we could turn around and pick him up.” Heidi Kavanagh stated when she was back in the club.

Skipper of the rescue craft, Scorpio on standby at the buoy where the Refeloa Zililo went into the water, Alec McNamara boasted, “Their execution of the Man Over Board was the most phenomenal thing I have seen on the water. Ray of Light magically turned on their keel and just like that, plucked him out. He wasn’t in the water for more than two minutes. Amazing!”

Michael Kavanagh quietly said, “It was the first time in Durban I insisted all the guys wear their inflatable lifejackets and I am truly glad I did. It couldn’t have happened at a better place, as we were rounding the leeward mark, so we were already turning, so didn’t impact too much on the race. As soon as Refeloa hit the water his lifejacket responded.”

Smiling, he continued, “The guy that went for a swim couldn’t have a more appropriate nickname amongst the sailors, and I think after today he can keep it. Known as Waterboy, he will certainly remember this race.”

20 boats were entered to compete in the pursuit race but only 11 boats braved the elements and raced. The start line was set just off Addington with the turning mark just off La Lucia Mall, 7 nautical miles away. On the run towards the leeward mark, Majimoto skippered by Jon Marshall was forced to retire after their spinnaker pole bent and they had problems with their backstay holding up the mast.

Ray of Light registered a top wind speed of 42.9 at the top of their mast. All the boats started with the wind nearing the 20knots and long rolling swells but as the day progressed the wind picked up with gusts knocking the fleet right over and the sea conditions worsening to resemble a washing machine.

This weekend sailors will be sailing offshore for the first of the Royal Natal Yacht Club’s Spring Series.

Results

1 Ray of Light (Michael Kavanagh), 2 Crazy Diamond (Wayne Smith), 3 Bellatrix (Gregg Hurter), 4 PheZulu (Leo Kroone), 5 Therapy (Gavin Wadsworth), 6 Zap (Graham Rose), 7 Magic Dragon (Bill Ellens), 8 Zing (Gavin Smith), 9 Candi (Theuns Nel), 10 She-Myra (Frans Van Oers), RET Majimoto (Jon Marshall)

Royal Natal Yacht Club Dinghy Spring Series Day Two

Royal Natal Yacht Club

Dinghy Spring Series Day Two

It was chalk and cheese with the conditions for the second day of the Dinghy Spring Series hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club with nine yachts arriving in the blustery conditions.

Race Officer, Jennifer Weyer set a windward leeward course for the small boats in the harbour. Conditions were ideal for loads of thrills and spills. The gusts edged up towards the 30knot mark but the wind was blowing mostly around the high teens or low twenties. With a lot of chop in the bay, all the sailors were drenched by the spray from the water.

The three Flying Fifteens relished the conditions and flew on the run powered by their larger spinnakers. The most competitive fleet on the water did three laps of the sausage course, finishing consistently around the 35minute mark for all three races. It was fantastic racing between the three in the last two races. On the run down to the leeward mark, the spinnakers kept catching up to each other. On the beat up to the weather mark the tactics came into play as they split up in the field, all tacking and heading off in different directions.

Crossing the line for the final race of the day, Myles White helming his Flying Fifteen brushed past the bridge boat shouting, “Please can we have another race, we are loving these conditions!”

The first boat to call it quits having been unable to start was the smallest boat in the fleet, the small RS Tera capsized on the way to the start and took a while to right himself. Denmar Nel from Pinetown also spent a lot of time in the water as his Laser toppled over on numerous occasions. Not managing to finish the first race, an exhausted Nel opted to turn his efforts in and head for shore mid-way through the second race.

Late arrivals, Chad Stevenson racing on his Extra and Jethro Brophy-Tintinger helming a Laser got tangled together nearing the start line. Brophy-Tintinger capsized dramatically tangled up with Stevenson’s Extra and the duo drifted through the start line as the fleet made their way for the second race. Stevenson never recovered after his unfortunate arrival, tearing his main sail and experiencing rudder problems, eventually having to be towed home after the final race.

The oldest competitor in the fleet, Trevor Gibb sailing with the youngest sailor, Ian Bowman managed two races in their Mirror and after they crossed the finish line for the second time, headed for shore.

David Curtiss from Botha’s Hill helming his Rebel sailed two up with up-and-coming Dylan Alberts from Durban North. The team battled with the gusts that swept through the race track, finding their boat going over on more than one occasion. They also retired, not managing to finish the second race.

Next weekend will be busy for the oldest yacht club in the country as the Royal Natal Yacht Club have the third day for the smaller boats with the Spring Dinghy Series then on Sunday they host the Battle of Trafalgar offshore for the keelers.

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

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)

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)

Jonsson Cup Pursuit Race

Point Yacht Club

Jonsson Cup Pursuit Race

Historically, the Jonsson Cup Pursuit Race is a huge highlight on the dinghy sailing calendar; the event opens up a busy summer sailing season for the Point Yacht Club’s on Saturday 25 October.

After the global success of the Bart’s Bash World Record Attempt that started the season for the keelers, the smaller boats get their opportunity on the water. The iconic dinghy race, the Jonsson Cup is the oldest dinghy race in Durban. Sailors will take to the bay to challenge each other for the magnificent trophy.

A pursuit race is extremely exciting: the race starts off with a technical start. The start time for all the boats were staggered according to their boat handicap or boat rating, this is scientifically worked out according to the boat weight, sail area, boat design and many other factors.

The slower boats go off first with the faster boats chasing them down. “We are hoping to get a number of entries on the water for this event,” an eager event Co-ordinator, Lucy De Freitas stated. “The finish is the best part. If things go according to plan, most of the fleet dash for the line, making it quite tight as we all converges on the finish.”

Defending champion, young Sean Hurter will be back to defend his title He won the race last year on a Dabchick, a proudly South African designed one-man dinghy. The up-and-coming sailor has just returned from competing in the ISAF Youth World Championships in Tavira, Portugal. He was racing, together with his older brother Euan in the 29er class.

Continuing, De Freitas added, “The idea is to bring young and old together and for the speed merchants like Hobies and 49ers to chase the slower Mirrors and Dabchicks. Over the years the middle speed boats like Flying Fifteens and Lasers have often won. It is a fun event with Boat Park abuzz with music and vibe with the spring upon us.”

The pursuit race has a clock on it, once racing gets underway, the sailors have two hours to complete racing until the race officer stops the chase. If no boat has crossed the line, then whichever boat is in the lead is awarded first place.

“It is a testing race, two hours on the water on a dinghy is hard work. You can’t rely on crew members to make it easier as there are only one or two people on a boat. Sailing dinghies is highly physical and I am sure that all of the guys will have a great work out.”

Point Yacht Club is hoping not only for glorious warm weather for the event, but for all dinghy and cat sailors to join them on the water inviting hobies and darts form the beach site and the Halcats from the Royal Natal Yacht Club camp to join them on the day.

The Jonsson Cup Pursuit Race gets under way early afternoon on Saturday 25 October as Point Yacht Club summer sailing season gets underway.

For more info visit www.pyc.co.za or like their Facebook page Point Yacht Club.

ENDS

Golfers in the swing of things

Golfers Go Wild in South Africa

Ladies European Tour golfers Chloe Leurquin and Patricia Sanz Barrio experienced the ultimate rush when they launched themselves off the edge of Oribi Gorge ahead of the Cell C South African Women’s Open.

Both of the Ladies European Tour rookie golfers did the world’s highest gorge swing to claim their bragging rights on the eve of this week’s international golf tournament at San Lameer Country Club on the Hibiscus Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, south of Durban.

Leurquin, 24, from Waterloo Golf Club in Waterloo, Belgium, was fearless as she jumped from the edge of a cliff into a free fall from 165 metres before swinging through the breath taking scenery in the bottom of the gorge. She was followed by Sanz, 24, from RACE Golf Club in Madrid, Spain, who bravely overcame her last-minute apprehension. 

Years of sports psychology could not prepare the golfers for the ‘Wild 5 Adventure.’ Sanz said: “It was amazing. I cried a little bit, a little bit of excitement, but I would do it again. It was a great mental battle. In golf, you get nerves, but not real fear. You might miss a putt, but you’re not going to die or anything.”

Leurquin said: “I’m not very scared of heights and stuff, so I just did it, and the rope is just so heavy it’s pulling you down and when he says ‘1, 2, 3’, you just have to go. It was cool and I wish I could do it again! Doing this and golf… you just cannot compare it.”

After their adrenaline rush, the players enjoyed a sight-seeing visit and lunch at Leopard Rock, a stunning venue with an outside deck enjoying panoramic views over Oribi Gorge and just one and a half hours drive south of Durban.

Leurquin and Sanz are now both targeting their first wins on the Ladies European Tour in the €320,000, or R4.5 million, Cell C South African Women’s Open, which gets under way over four rounds of stroke play from Thursday to Sunday.

Leurquin, a graduate in Business and Mechanical Engineering, earned her first victory as a professional at the Mineks Ladies Classic in Turkey on the Ladies European Tour Access Series (LETAS) last year before finishing fourth on the order of merit to graduate to the main Ladies European Tour, where she has posted a best finish of tied 28^th at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France this season.

Sanz, a graduate in Biomedical Science, won the Grecotel Amirandes Ladies Open in Crete on LETAS last year and posted three second places, before finishing as the runner up on the order of merit. She also progressed to the Ladies European Tour this year, where she has recorded a season-best tie for 12^th at the Allianz Ladies Slovak Open presented by Respect.

Entry is free to the Cell C South African Women’s Open this week, with domestic television coverage on SABC and SuperSport.

Words and pix by Bethan Cutler