Sailing Magazine
by Richard Crockett
The Laser class was still in its infancy in this country, yet the enthusiasm and interest was exponential. Her designer Bruce Kirby had obviously hit a “sweet spot” as this is the boat local dinghy sailors wanted.
In the April issue of SA Yachting it was announced that Bruce McCurrach had received a licence to build the Laser locally. He established a company, PSI Yachts, along with Justin Schaffer and Basil Cook who was the builder and who had received training in the English and Irish Laser manufacturing plants.
Interestingly the cost of the local boat was indicated at R900.00 complete. What a bargain in today’s terms!
READ ABOUT THE FACTORY SET UP HERE: Pages from 1976 04 – SA Yachting – OCR
The Class had its second formal National Champs in Mossel Bay. This time it was almost a clean sweep for the Korving family with Nicky and his wife Cecily taking first and third spots – in a fleet of 51 boats. There were many “firsts” in the event, so do read the report for all that info.
READ THE LASER NATIONALS REPORT HERE: Pages from 1976 06 – SA Yachting – OCR
Back L-R. Donald Alexander; John Herridge; Colin Dibb; Campbell Alexander & Mike Wright.
Middle L-R. Iain Park-Ross; Topher Hancock; Chris Clark.
Front. Jane Hudson.
Later on in the year the first ever sailing Intervarsity regatta was held at Midmar. What a great regatta it was too. The Laser along with the Fireball and Sprog were the designated classes. The first Proteas sailing team was also selected – the “Protea” designation being the title given to national university teams.
READ ABOUT THE INTERVARSITY REGATTA HERE: 1976 10 – Yachtsman RSA – issue 01 – OCR 14
This was also the year in which the first South Africans went to a Laser Worlds, so it was fitting to see Nicky Korving fly our flag. In the fleet of 76, Korving finished 43rd.
READ ABOUT THE 1976 LASER WORLDS HERE: 1976 10 – Yachtsman RSA – issue 01 – OCR 8
