Sailing Magazine
by Richard Crockett
Back to Some Old Traditions
Today saw competitors sail in the strongest wind and confused sea so far in the event as a steady north easterly blew, bringing with it very confused and lumpy seas. Originally forecast to pick up substantially, the big winds did not arrive. The race was sailed in testing 12 to 16 knot winds although at the start there was 16 to 19 knots with one gust hitting 21 knots.
Whilst RCYC won comfortable, the finish for second was tight with 1 second separating PYC and LYC in the dice for second place. PYC caught the wave that mattered to get them over the line ahead of LYC.
The Racer Officer brought back the ‘old’ traditional Olympic Course of a triangle, sausage and triangle for todays race. Whether it appealed to those competing is as yet unknown, but from a photographic perspective it provided an opportunity to get some stunning pics – as can be seen with an expanded selection.
From the start the fleet split with the overall leaders Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC) starting on the pin end of the line and going left, as did Langebaan Yacht Club (LYC), with the other contenders in the middle,
First to head seaward was the Royal Natal Yacht Club (RNYC). PYC were early tackers heading seaward, and the RCYC crew last. The seaward boats initially looked good, but as they tacked across to the 1st buoy, the better side was the left as the LYC and RCYC teams came right back into contention.
Roundings were tough at the weather mark with LYC rounding first followed by RCYC, UCT, PYC and VLC.
After a great tight reach it was still LYC ahead at the wing mark, followed by RCYC, UCT and PYC.
Positions changed during the leg to the leeward buoy with LYC and RCYC in a tight duel, followed by PYC, VLC, UCT and RNYC who closed well.
LYC and RCYC were locked into their own private duel up the 2nd beat choosing to go strait out to sea from the mark, before tacking to cover PYC, VLC and RNYC.
The RNYC with a crew weight disadvantage, went left to break away from the top 5 while hoping to catch a break and pick up some places.
The RCYC team was first to go across to cover the RNYC, as did LYC and the balance of the top 5. RCYC and LYC were still locked into a titanic duel between themselves as they tacked and counter-tacked, with the RCYC team snatching the advantage and taking the lead. At the 2nd weather mark before going into the ‘sausage’ leg.
On this leg the RCYC and LYC crew fought off a concerted effort from those behind to close up, with PYC sailing into 3rd spot.
The 3rd beat was critical, and where the race was won and lost. The leaders again went seaward, with VLC and RNYC going left in an attempt to get an advantage, but the RCYC team found some incredible upwind speed and surged into a good lead.
When they tacked The RCYC had anhialated those who had gone left, however the PYC team had overhauled the LYC team, only to lose that spot when LYC rounded ahead of them, the reach offering no passing lanes for anyone.
On the final leg to the finish, RCYC had it all their own way, crossing for their 3rd consecutive win.
PYC and LYC were duelling nicely, and although LYC were ahead of PYC going into the finish line, the PYC team executed a better final gybe and pipped them at the post. UCT were 4th followed by VLC and RNYC.
Results Race 4
Royal Cape Yacht Club – Roger Hudson 1
Point Yacht Club – Richard Weddell 2
University of Cape Town Yacht Club – Ryan Barnardo 4
Victoria Lake Club – Rob Willcox 5
Royal Natal Yacht Club – Paul Changuion 6
Langebaan Yacht Club – Sibusiso Sizatu 3
Zeekoevlei Yacht Club – Heidi Burger 7
Zululand Yacht Club – Bryan Martin 8
Witbank Yacht & Aquatic Club – Kevin Rainier 9
Lake Deneys Yacht Club – Richard Widerhold 18
Buffalo River Yacht Club – Nhlanhla Phakathi 12
Seal Point Yacht Club – Craig Deverson 10
Algoa Bay Yacht Club – Refeloa Zililo 18
Island Sailing Club – Eli Brophy-Tintinger 11
University of Natal Yacht Club – Hannah Fokkens 18
Glenwood High School Yacht Club – Brendan Humphreys 18
Bluff Yacht Club – Michael Boorman 18
Results Overall after 4 Race
Royal Cape Yacht Club – Roger Hudson 1
Point Yacht Club – Richard Weddell 2
University of Cape Town Yacht Club – Ryan Barnardo 3
Victoria Lake Club – Rob Willcox 4
Royal Natal Yacht Club – Paul Changuion 5
Langebaan Yacht Club – Sibusiso Sizatu 6
Zeekoevlei Yacht Club – Heidi Burger 7
Zululand Yacht Club – Bryan Martin 8
Witbank Yacht & Aquatic Club – Kevin Rainier 9
Lake Deneys Yacht Club – Richard Widerhold 10
Buffalo River Yacht Club – Nhlanhla Phakathi 11
Seal Point Yacht Club – Craig Deverson 12
Algoa Bay Yacht Club – Refeloa Zililo 13
Island Sailing Club – Eli Brophy-Tintinger 14
University of Natal Yacht Club – Hannah Fokkens 15
Glenwood High School Yacht Club – Brendan Humphreys 16
Bluff Yacht Club – Michael Boorman 17
