Smooth Sailing
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News By A Sailor For Sailors!
In
Association with:
Radio Controlled Laser Nationals
RCYC Lion of Africa Women’s Day Race
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The 2004 Radio Controlled Laser Nationals took place at the
Durban Radio Boat Club on the 6th and 7th of November.
The regatta attracted a large entry of 34 boats including some who traveled
from Gauteng for the event. The regatta took place in fine conditions with a
light easterly breeze blowing on both days. A total of 16 races were sailed
with some close, sometimes too close racing. As always there was plenty of
crashing around the course, some of it a result of the sheer number of boats on
the water, some of it down to plain bad sailing and ignorance of the rules!
Clearly one of the secrets of doing well in an RC Laser regatta is staying out
of trouble and those who do it best seem to come out on top more often than not.
Of course good boat speed and tactics help too. This was definitely the case on
Saturday when the pond was unusually shifty. Generally in an easterly the
Durban Radio Boat Club pond is fairly predictable to sail on. This time with
quite a strong southerly component in the breeze there was a lot of quite big
shifts, which made the racing even more challenging. As always there was a
strong social aspect to this regatta with lunches and plenty of SAB sponsored
beer for all who were sailing. Certainly drinking a few of the sponsored
beverages helped to calm the nerves and steady the thumbs in this very tense
racing. Des Fairbank once again prevailed in this regatta as he so often does
in radio sailing, not just in RC Lasers but all classes. Although he won only two
races along the way Des sailed extremely consistently and came out a fairly
comfortable winner in the end. The top three positions overall were as follows:
|
1st |
Des
Fairbank |
33
Points |
|
2nd |
Norrie
Taylor |
41 |
|
3rd
|
Richard
Weddel |
43 |
The Full Results as well as Pictures from the regatta are posted on the Smooth Sailing web site.
The South African America's Cup Yacht
Shosholoza, RSA 48, will once again be a familiar sight in Cape Town's Table Bay
after being away in Europe for the past three months. Yacht Shosholoza arrived
back in Cape Town aboard an MSC container ship today and will be offloaded this
afternoon. Members of Team Shosholoza will be assisting
with the moving of the yacht to the V&A Waterfront by floating crane where
she will be lifted onto the quayside at the team's new permanent base (between
the Cape Grace Hotel and the BOE headquarters and flanked by the fishing boat
fleet.) Yacht Shosholoza left South Africa by ship early in August and the team
followed to compete in the Marseille Louis Vuitton Act 1 in September. The
regatta marked the return of the America's Cup to Europe for the first time in
153 years and presented an incredible opportunity for Team Shosholoza to
measure themselves against the giants of the America's Cup - the Cup Defenders,
the Swiss Team Alinghi, the USA's BMW Oracle Team Racing, Emirates Team New
Zealand and the two French teams K-challenge and Le Defi were all in Marseille.
In October the team moved to Valencia in Spain - the host city for the
America's Cup in 2007 - for the first of the Spanish regattas, the Valencia
Louis Vuitton Acts 2 and 3. The same America's Cup teams were again competing
in these events plus two Italian teams - Luna Rossa and +39. Team Shosholoza
made her mark and earned the respect of her competitors at these debut events,
despite being the new kids on the block and sailing an older, slower yacht. The
regattas form part of the new format America's Cup - which will see a series of
"Acts" in different venues around Europe in the next few years
leading up to the "final story" of the America's Cup proper in 2007.
Following Valencia the team had a well-earned two-week break - some of whom
remained in Europe to travel further while others couldn't wait to get home.
Team Shosholoza will be operating out of their new "SA America's Cup
Challenge Base" in the V&A Waterfront from today (Monday 8 November).
Until now the team worked out of a couple of containers in the Waterfront where
meetings and all activities were held in the open air. The new base has a mini
sail loft, office space, a kitchen, showers and an upstairs entertainment area
and deck overlooking the V&A. The quayside is spacious with ample space for
yacht Shosholoza RSA 48 to be lifted out of the water daily. The team will
spend the first week of November match racing on local 26-foot yachts as
skipper Geoff Meek and three crewmembers, Guido Verhovert, Alex Runciman and
Marc Lagesse, leave at the weekend for the next leg of the Swedish Match Tour.
This event, the Nippon Cup, will be held in Tokyo, Japan. The rest of team will
re-rig Shosholoza RSA 48 and prepare her for sailing from the 16th and get her
back up to racing mode by the 24th November when the others return from
Japan. Sailing manager Paul Standbridge
says he will continue to try out 2 new crewmembers per week and is still
looking to build the team by 6 sailors prior to Act 4 in Europe in June
2005. He is specifically looking for 4
crew; weighing 105kg's each to help give more muscle power to the sailing crew.
This
very popular bi-annual, Royal Cape Yacht Club
Double-Handed Race that took place on the 6th
of November attracted 49 entries. The
rules are such that only 2 persons may be onboard from the start to the finish
of the race. Radar, Satnav and GPS
systems may be used, as well as self-steering.
The race was sailed in near perfect conditions with the added extra of a
fresh Southeasterly filling in midway.
It was unanimously agreed at the skippers briefing that a longer course
be set, and the competitors enjoyed a 17 nautical mile race.
The winners were as follows:
CLUB HANDICAP
|
1st |
Moonshine |
A Hughes & W Villet |
|
2nd |
Phantom |
T Connel & S Tomlinson |
|
3rd |
Easy Beat |
M Peper & A Van Tonder |
Line Honours, was taken by
Wizard, skippered by N Norton and crewed with W Norton).
Let’s Go, skippered by D Johnson
and crewed by W Darin, was awarded a fun prize for perseverance.
Thank
you to our Race Officer, Danny Blanckenberg and Larry D’Aguir, as Bridge Crew. Special thanks the sponsor, Fred Phillips of African
Extension.
Rob
Walker sent us the following report on the first round of the KZN Grand Prix Series that took place at the Island
Sailing Club in Durban on the weekend of the 30th and 31st
of October.
“The KZN Grand
Prix Series got off to a splendid start. Background work by Martinus Myburgh
and Chris Despy saw an impressive turnout for the Island Sailing Club and Bluff
Yacht Club jointly run event. Three Senior and 14 Youth Lasers joined the 13
Optimists to compete Grand Prix I. Several other Novice Optimist and Laser
sailors entered the Grand Prix but the windy conditions put paid to them finishing
a race. To their credit many of them teamed up and crewed for their mates on a
Laser helping to keep it upright in the gusts!
Race
Officer Jim Ferguson kept a tight rein on safety and issued a stern warning
about steering clear of shipping in the channel at the skippers briefing. He
knew a thing or two of what the wind was to bring.
The
Optimist fleet started first doing a sausage & triangle on the Olympic
course. Rudy McNeill was soon home followed by Sam Hancock who obviously liked
the heavy conditions. Third in was David Leigh from Zululand Yacht Club. The
Lasers on the second start and sailing a full course had to deal with the wind
which had by then built to gusts of 19 knots. Capsizes were the order of the
day! Local Durban boys, Aaron Larkens and Michael Bissett sailing Radials were
first home followed by Luke Wagner from HMYC. RO Jim wisely sent the fleet home
for lunch forecasting that the wind would ease from about two o clock, which
fortunately it did. This allowed for two more races in the late afternoon. In
the Youth Laser fleet, first and second went to Larkens and Bissett followed
this time by Jean-Marc George in third place. The lighter wind also favoured
Master Laser sailor Andy Gray who followed Daniel Larkens and Steve Martin home
in the Senior Laser fleet. Rudy McNeill was chased home by Claire and Emma
Walker who unfortunately couldn’t repeat their top three places again in the
regatta. Novice Oppie sailors Ashley Nel and Louise Joubert from Bluff and
Island respectively completed their first race that afternoon. It was in the
last race of the day that Byron Gray caused an upset, clinching a very well
earned second place in the Optimist fleet. Bryan Martin also scored a
creditable third place in the last Laser race of the day.
Sunday
morning greeted us with a building Easterly, the dread of which kept some boats
ashore. A fine brekker was had by many at next door Bluff Yacht Club and it was
a thing not to miss. Only one race was possible and even that was completed
with a recorded maximum gust of over 26 knots. Jim Ferguson set a wild course
ensuring some spectacular reaches. Watching the boats planning and sometimes
seeing Centerboards clearing the surface was awesome. Admittedly a lot of guys
were on the extreme edge and some notable death rolls were recorded. Prize for
the best capsize was unanimously awarded to Steve Martin! Luke Wagner
importunely suffered from a broken top section to his mast. Stuart Purchase
also had to retire after a collision.
The
Larkens brothers did extremely well, both finishing first in their divisions
but also admitted to a dunking or two.
Results
were reported at a thank you ceremony conducted by Martinus Myburgh. The
official prize giving will take place at the end of the series. The are three
more weekend events to go in the round robin series; the next Grand Prix will
be hosted by HMYC at Midmar on the 20th & 21st
November followed by Grand Prix III at Zululand Yacht Club.
Thanks
very much to Jim and his team of helpers at Island for loads of fun and some
hairy stories! Be sure we’ll be back for more.”
The top three places in
each class were as follows:
Optimist
|
1st
|
Rudi
McNeil |
4
Points |
|
2nd
|
Sam
Hancock |
14 |
|
3rd
|
Claire
Walker |
16 |
Laser Youth
|
1st |
Aaron Larkens |
4 Points |
|
2nd |
Bryan Martin |
13 |
|
3rd |
Michael Bissett |
21 |
Laser Open
|
1st |
Daniel Larkens |
4 Points |
|
2nd |
Stephen Martin |
9 |
|
3rd |
Andy Gray |
13 |
The Full Results are posted on the Smooth Sailing Racing Reports web page.
Lion of Africa Insurance Company roared into action again this year with their support
and sponsorship of the RCYC Women’s Day
Race.
Originally scheduled for 7th August 2004, just prior to the Women’s Day
public holiday, but unfortunately cancelled due to “un-sailable” weather
conditions. This exclusive race was re-sailed on Saturday, 30th October 2004 at
Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC). Overseeing the event, Carol Middleton, from the
RCYC Ladies Association, has been hard at work securing prizes, donations and
guest speakers, and generally raising awareness of this unique annual sailing
event. Last year’s inaugural regatta
attracted 16 entries overall in both the spinnaker and non-spinnaker classes.
This year, the 12 competing yachts sailed on a beautiful sunny day, but with
winds seeming to blow in all directions.
Jackie Brand on Impact “found the breeze” and secured first place on
Club Handicap in the spinnaker class. The non-spinnaker class first place was
awarded to Karina Haines on Suidoos II.
Line-honours were taken by Dominique Provoyeur on After You. Sadly, due
to a shoulder injury and two very painful operations, Marion Cole,
internationally acclaimed skipper, will not be defending her title this year,
but assures us that she will be involved from the shore side of things and
hopes to be back on the water by the end of the year. Now in its second year,
the regatta has gone a long way towards encouraging and supporting lady
skippers and crews to become more prominent in the local racing scene. Whilst RCYC
is fortunate to boast of a number of highly accomplished and competent lady
skippers and crew amongst the existing fleet, there is still plenty of scope
and opportunity for more women to become involved at all levels of sailing.
Lion of Africa Insurance Company support the initiative of women and in
acknowledgement of Women’s Day, view sponsoring this race a commendable
opportunity to show such support. Fred Robertson, Chairman of Lion of Africa
Insurance says: “Lion is proud to
support the race. We don’t see this as
a one-off investment but as a long-term commitment to helping women and female
sailors from all walks of life empower and assert themselves in areas generally
dominated by men”.
It
is that time of the year again when SA’s top dinghy sailors start preparing for
the Sprog Nationals. This years Sprog
Nationals take place from the 27th to the 30th of
December at the Henley Midmar Yacht club in KZN. So start preparing, as
usual there are many top skippers finding boats so they can come and sail in
the most competitive regatta of the year. To get your name on one of the
oldest dinghy trophies in South Africa is a true achievement, many yachtsmen
and yachtswomen have been trying for years. It could be your turn this
year. The Notice of Race has been posted on the
Smooth Sailing Notices of Race
web page. Anybody prepared to loan his or her boat for the event please contact
John Wright.
We have many of the youth and senior sailors looking for a Sprog to sail.
South African
Sailing Bulletin # 10
October
2004
Information for Boat Insurance
SAS are investigating the possibility
of obtaining discounts on vessel insurance of which a part is to obtain a fleet
insurance for support vessels used for race management (bridge), mark laying,
rescue and spectator transport.
These vessels would include a keelboat, motor launch,
motorboats of various types, including rubber ducks and RHIBS. It is important to for the insurance
companies to have an idea of numbers as well as the types of vessel that would
be covered by a Fleet Insurance Policy.
Third Party liability would also be
covered by the policy
It is anticipated that a saving of
premium costs versus cover would be one of the advantages with added benefits
of single principle liaison obtained through such a negotiated policy.
Clubs are requested to advise SAS of
the boats in use for the above so that a full assessment can be prepared for
submission to the insurer.
The information required is as follows:
Type of vessel:
Length of vessel:
Age of vessel:
Inboard or outboard motors and number:
Value of hull, rig and motors:
Public liability exposure in Rand
terms. (estimate)
It would be appreciated if Clubs would return such information to the Cape Town office as soon as possible and at least by the 19th November.
Our Notices of Race page on the Smooth Sailing has all the NOR’s available to us. If you
have a regatta coming up and would like to make the NOR available online then
e-mail it to hethcot@iafrica.com and it will be posted and
listed in this newsletter. To get your copy simply click on the name of the
regatta you are interested in below:
|
Regatta |
Venue |
Dates |
|
Various KZN Clubs |
October 2004 to July 2005 |
|
|
Hermanus Yacht Club |
11 to 18 December |
|
|
RNYC Xmas Regatta Incorporating the Hunter KZN
Champs & Flying Fifteen Nationals |
Royal Natal Yacht Club |
16 to 19 December |
|
Hermanus Yacht Club |
27 to 30 December |
|
|
Henley Midmar Yacht Club |
27 to 30 December |
|
|
IRC KZN Champs |
Zululand Yacht Club |
14 to 16 January 2005 |
|
Royal Cape Yacht Club &
Mossel Bay Yacht Club |
29 January 2005 |
|
|
Royal Cape Yacht Club |
4 January 2006 |
The Smooth Sailing Classifieds are a free service for private advertisers only. This service is not available to any commercial enterprise or service provider. To place an ad, e-mail the details to andrew@smoothsailing.co.za.
FOR SALE
Main, storm,
working jib.
2 anchors.
Life buoy.
Porta potty.
2 hp motor.
Depth sounder. Radio/tape.
Trailer.
Good
condition
R30 000-00
Contact:
Robert
Cell: 073 149
5410 (Jhb)
Posted:
09/11/04
6
sails. 2 spinnaker poles.
Life
jackets. Horse shoe lifebuoy.
2.5 hp
marina motor. Tender.
Fair
condition. Ready to sail.
R12 000-00
Contact: John
Cell: 082 551
7946 (Jhb)
Posted: 09/11/04
Inboard motor
(bmw.D7)
Full sails
Brand new jib
no'1 never used
Porta pottie
Spacious
interior
Extra useful
odds & ends
R80 000-00
Moored on the Vaal
Contact: Theo
Ras
Cell: 082 851 6278
Posted: 09/11/04
R4 000-00 each
Contact: Mark
Stockhausen
Phone: 031-208 6730 after hours
All equipment
except mast.
Wooden Hull
stripped of paint.
Needs
refurbishment.
Incomplete
project.
Laying in
Cape Town.
Contact:
Adrian Maastrecht
E-Mail: adri@autoquip.co.za
Posted: 09/11/04
Musto Offshore
Foul Weather Gear
-jacket
-trousers
-size L
-red
trousers, red/navy/white jacket with yellow hood
-safety
harness facility, double cuffs
-embroidered
for "The Round Britain and Ireland Challenge 2004 in association with
Daily Telegraph"
-used only on
a couple of days during the race by the skipper of yacht SAIC La Jolla
(starting on Oct 3rd for the Global Challenge)
-as good as
new
-R2 500-00
(new >R3 500-00)
Contact: Tonya Lehtinen
Tel: +27 21 790 8328 (Hout Bay)
Fax: +27 21 790 8328
Mobile: +27 72 3380 690
E-Mail: tonyalehtinen@telkomsa.net
In good condition, serviced,
With road trailer
R14 000-00 onco
&
Like new condition
R5 000-00
&
Could be revived R 600
Contact: Leon
083 629-3166
Or
Anne 083- 561-9068
E-Mail: lizamorefam@mweb.co.za
WANTED
In Eastern Cape
Contact: Andrew Heathcote
Cell: 083 783 8805
E-Mail: andrew@smoothsailing.co.za
Must be in seaworthy condition for club
racing.
I can do some repairs.
Contact: Alastair Fraser
Cell: 083 787 8654
Laser
Preferably in Durban area
Contact: D Smythe
Phone: 039-314 4637
Posted: 09/11/04
1 X High Speed Trailer for Mirror Dinghy
1 X Set of Ooutboard Oars
Contact: Phillip
Cell: 083 265 8185
Posted: 11/10/04
Standard
Laser
Complete
Cash buyer.
Any area.
Contact: Neil Couling
Cell: 083 651
8310
Posted: 11/10/04
Extra or Laser
In Cape area
Contact: Leon 083 629-3166
Or
Anne 083- 561-9068
E-Mail: lizamorefam@mweb.co.za
Or similar
fixed or drop keel
Preferably
with trailer.
Phone 084 253
7927.
Posted:
11/10/04
Pirate Sailing Boat
With trailer,
in any condition but preferably good order.
Ideally in
Durban.
Contact Kevin
E-Mail: kevine@thebesec.co.za
Posted
11/10/04
TLC 19
With trailer,
in any condition but preferably good order.
Ideally in
Durban.
Contact Kevin
Cell: 082 603
9229
E-Mail: kevine@thebesec.co.za
Andrew Heathcote
Mobile: +27 (0) 83 783 8805
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