KLM Plant Hire Winter Regatta

The KLM Plant Hire Winter Regatta sailed on Saturday the 15, Sunday the 16 and Monday 17. The race was the highlight of the winter series with a total of five races sailed offshore and in the harbour with a total of 115 nautical miles sailed in total. The races were closely contested between 8 yachts.

Race one stared at 10h30 on the first day started with a 10-15 knot North Westerly breeze that turned into a full 30 knot South Westerly. The yachts battled for three hours with the first place going to Solar Wind skippered by Don Voysey. Second place was Money Penny Skippered by Mike Scorer and Third place was Mean - Time skippered by Kieron Moore. The second race started at 14h30 and was raced in the harbour because of the very strong winds offshore. The race was sailed using the traditional Wednesday night course and was won by Money Penny second was Roulette Skippered by Peter van Breda and in third place was Mean Time. Sunday stared with a light offshore breeze of about 15knotts with spinnakers flying the fishermen were met with a spectacular sight. First on handicap was Debon skippered by Stan and Ria Dunn making its first win ever on the circuit we think they are still celebrating, second place Roulette, Third place Solar Wind. The Second Race out to sea and back in the Harbour made a exciting Finnish as the wind died on the last stretch with the boats all praying for a last gust to push them over the line. Winning the fourth race of the series was Roulette in second was Solar Wind and in Third place was Mean -Time.

With Monday the last day and last race all the boats were very close, each in there own right could take the series. The race was to the wave rider buoy out the harbour with a reverse Wednesday night course. Skippers and crew posed at the start. The signal was set off at 10h10 again it was a spectacular start with spinnakers flying in the North Easterly wind it was a dash to the first mark with the lead changing a number of times. Down the final stretch the three L34 yachts were fighting it out while the two van der Stadt took up the rear. In first place was Roulette in second was Solar Wind and in third place was Money Penny.

The overall standings for the regatta after five races and three days on Handicap: