The Johnson Cup Pursuit Race was sailed on Saturday in a light southerly breeze, the first time in ages that a pursuit race has been sailed on the southerly course in Durban bay.

A good and varied fleet turned out for the regatta with Sprogs, Lasers, 26ers, Flying Fifteens, Hobies and Tornados all well represented. The handicapper's job for a race like this is never easy and on Saturday it was made even harder by the wind dying shortly after the first start. This severely disadvantaged the faster boats whose performance in the lighter winds is not as extraordinary as it is in the fresher stuff. That is the nature of this kind of race though.

Heading up the last windward leg the lead was held at various times by a Flying Fifteen, a Laser and two different Sprogs. The beat was fairly tactical, not just in terms of getting the wind shifts right, but also avoiding the shipping movements, something that some achieved better than others! In the end it was Paul Notcutt on his Sprog who slipped through ahead of Ian West-Lewis on his Flying Fifteen and Penny McPherson on her Laser.

The rest finished in drips and drabs but while they may not all have been as close as would have been nice, there were no complaints to be heard afterwards. It was after all one of the nicer afternoons sailing of the season so far.

The prize giving was held in the PYC Bar after sailing with all who were there helping to dispatch with the contents of the trophy in good time!