The KZN L26 Class Provincials 2003 were sailed offshore Durban on 14-16 June long weekend. The weathermen had the 3 day forecast spot on and the weather dished up a feast of sailing conditions with the low pressure system that promised for the Saturday actually happening. This provided a range of conditions that could not in any way be described as idyllic but rather as testing, but then that, after all, is what a Provincials at this level of sailing should be all about!

The fleet comprised 15 boats including most of the best in the country, not surprising given NCS Regatta (L26 Nationals) and The Lipton Cup Challenge 2003 being just around the corner at this same venue. The feast of sailing in Durban in June and July has just begun. Oh, and the big guns were there to serve notice with MSC Donna Mia (Ian Ainslie - ZVYC), Greenlight (Dave Hudson - RCYC) and Orion Challenger (George Amoils - RNYC) all taking part.

The Gauteng contingent were represented by 5 boats: Paul Thompson (Alfa Romeo), Rob Willcox (La Digue), Jessica Lenz (Electon Bladerunner), Jenny Smith (Hang Ten) and Geoff Larmont (Tyco International).

Saturday (14th) dawned fine bit cool and Race 1 (windward/lleeward with offset 3 rounds finish on the run) started in NE 10 knots and finished in 15 knots. In Race 2 (same course) the wind was 12-15 knots and the sea lumpy with typical NE chop with the boats needing to power up to get through the seas. Offshore generally paid but a few boats managed well up the beach.

Overall after Day 1 it was Ainslie (2), Hudson (3), Amoils(6), Millar/Lanham-Love (8) and McLoughlin (10).

Sunday dawned miserable and cold with the low pressing through. 20% rain was forecast (80% would have been more accuarate!). Race 3 (same course) commenced in 15-18 kots SW and 1-1½m swells and it was (for Durban - surf temp 20°) very cold. But… what racing ensued with the top mark often not visible through the rain squalls and winds gusting and switching. Perhaps it was unsurprising that the inshore leg remained good but the middle was better and saw big gains and much position changing in the middle of the flleet.

Overall at the end of Day 2 it was Ainslie (4), Hudson (11), Amoils (12), Millar/Lanham-Love (17) and McLoughlin (17).

Monday dawned fine and cool with the early promise of good breeze. Race 5 (NE 15-18 choppy as hell!) found 13 starters (mostly with No. 3's up) being lead around the course by Ainslie, followed by Hudson then Amoils or Millar-Lanham Love once again and that is how it finished Great surfing conditions lead to some exhilarating sailing.

Race 6 (18 knots) and biggish seas found only 9 starters with most of the Gauteng boats sensibly deciding to commence an early drive home due to Comrades Marthon madness having decended on KZN.

Back on terra firma Amoils protested Hudson for and incident in Race 2 and ended up with a DSQ for his trouble as the case was unproven and the boats has touched. In the event the overall results after 1 discard were unchanged with the Gold going to defending Lipton Cup Champions Ian Ainslie (5 pts) with crew Golden Mgedeza, Marc Lagesse, Charles Nankin and Mike Giles on MSC Donna Mia (ZVYC). The Silver went to the evergreen Dave Hudson (9 pts) sailing for RCYC on Greenlight and the Bronze to George Amoils (14 pts) on Orion Challenger sailing for RNYC, 4th were Craig Millar/Alec Lanham-Love (19 pts) and 5th Jerome McLoughlin (20 pts).

Lipton hopefuls take note: the MSC Donna Mia team are going to be difficult to beat and this is home waters for Ian Ainslie.

In closing I must to mention the commitment and gutsy determination of the PYC Juniors sailing Container World Challenger in their 1st regatta. Congratulations to Thomas Thornton (17) (helm), Teegan Smith (16), Steve Taylor (18), Michael Bisset (15) and Denmar Nel (18) and coach (Trevor Gibb) and manager (Brian Thornton) on starting and finishing every race and a commendable 12th overall. Remember that Ian Ainslie is also a product of the PYC junior programme. We wish you well in your campaign for Nationals and Lipton Cup. I trust that the boat will continue to race in these and all club events