Sailing World Cup Miami – RSA Pairing Win Race 1

by Richard Crockett

Having spent the southern hemisphere summer training like demons possessed off Cape Town, and training a squad of up-and-coming youngsters, Asenathi Jim and Roger Hudsons determination and training has begun to pay off handsomely as they won the first race of the Sailing World Cup in Miami.

These two guys are so determined, while Hudson is grooming Asenathi and a yet to be selected crew for serious contention in the 2020 Olympics, one simply has to be chuffed and exceptionally proud of their performance in their opening event of the year leading up to Rio.

Light air on the first day of the regatta meant it was as much a mental game as a physical one. The day started in a light northwesterly breeze than veered slightly before dying off. It was mid afternoon before the breeze came back in – and that’s when the 470 got their first race in.

This came down to a battle between Asenathi Jim and Roger Hudson (RSA) and the Ducasse brothers (CHI). The South Americans had the upper hand initially, but Jim and Hudson ground them down on the second beat to take the win.

It’s a great way to start the new season, and is the fillip and incentive these two need to go on to greater things. Well done guys. Proud of you.