Sailing Magazine
www.mosquitosailing.co.za
By Saskia Stemmett
The 2013 Mosquito Nationals was held at Hermanus Yacht Club from 14-16 December, a first for the Mosquito Class. We were all looking forward to sailing at a different venue with the challenges that came with it. There was a worry that the shallow water would prove problematic however the amazing venue and beautiful surroundings proved an overriding factor and was a great draw card for competitors, with two boats travelling all the way from Mossel Bay to compete.
Di Hutton-Squire, our race officer for the event, brought some international bridge crew with her for the first day of racing so we were very privileged to have a very efficient and professional bridge team running our racing. Racing started on Saturday and we experienced perfect sailing conditions in medium winds for the whole day allowing us to complete five races on day one. We had a discard and a regatta after one days racing! Good job Di and our fantastic bridge team. The racing was very competitive and exciting and there were many stories shared at the club on Saturday evening. We enjoyed a lovely braai with live entertainment from the talented up and coming Artist and Mosquito sailor, York Avery.
We knew ahead of time that there would be no racing on Sunday, 15 December 2013, as the Minister of Sport issued a directive prohibiting any competitive sport on the day of Nelson Mandela’s funeral. The Mosquito sailors used the non-sailing day to do some training, which was run by Bradley Stemmett, and commemorated Madiba by raising black flags on our masts and singing the National Anthem. A big thank you to York Avery for leading us on his guitar. The AGM and class dinner was held on the Sunday evening and was a great opportunity to get together as a class and discuss the year ahead as well as vote on the acceptance of the new square top mainsail design. The catering team at Hermanus Yacht club outdid themselves with a delicious lamb dinner followed by a mouth-watering baked apple desert.
Our race officer was very efficient on the final day of racing ensuring that we made full use of the light winds, completing 3 races. The racing was very tricky and tactical with a light and shifty breeze but we were all satisfied that we had a successful regatta overall.
In true Mosquito style, the prize giving was an impressive affair with fantastic prizes awarded to all competitors. There was huge excitement when Belinda Avery realised that she had beaten her husband overall! A big congratulations to Belinda for winning the most improved trophy and the first lady skipper. Congratulations must also go to Vaughn Krumbock for winning the first junior trophy, Saskia Stemmett who was awarded the trophy for first lady and Kevin Webb who received the trophy for First Veteran. The Creepy Crawley trophy for the best results in moving up the fleet was awarded to Miles Webb and the Lisa Krumbock Wagging Tail trophy was awarded to Joost Smit for being the most enthusiastic sailor.
We would like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers who assisted on bridge and rescue, to Di Hutton-Squire for being a wonderful race officer and to the Commodore, staff, members and volunteers at Hermanus Yacht club for making us feel so welcome and accommodating us so graciously.
Final Results:
1 Bradley Stemmett and Saskia Stemmett (VYC) – 8 Points
2 Kevin Webb and Vaughn Krumbock (POYC) – 18 Points
3 Sarel Van Der Merwe & Sarah Krumbock (VYC) – 19 Points
4 Miles Webb & Jo Boyes (VYC) – 23 Points
5 Pieter De Vliiers & Daleen Naude (MBYC) – 37 Points
