The following report on the final races in the L34 Nationals, which took place in Table Bay last weekend, were sent to me by Viqui from RCYC.

"All or nothing in Table Bay....

The second weekend of the L34 Nationals saw the same varied weather and sea conditions as the previous week. Saturday dawned warm and windless and Race Officer, Nigel Watkins took the fleet around off Moullie Point in the hope of catching the first breeze of the day. It was a long, boring wait as the fleet bobbed around the Committee boat and entertained themselves in a number of ways, unique, I am sure, only to yachties! As soon as the Westerly breeze started to fill in, the good natured banter stopped and the serious business of racing got underway.

The first race of the day saw Sensation in first place, with Canada Green taking the second and third races. Lapwing, with Jennifer Burger at the helm finished a disappointing 4th in the second race with Handiman Two and Willy Temple snatching third place for the first (and only) time. Cape Town sailors are nothing if not hardy, and on Sunday morning, with a token show of grumbling and shivering, the fleet took to the water to endure the cold, lumpy seas of Table Bay.

With Sensation and Canada Green both on 6 points and Lapwing on 9 points, things were hotting up at the front of the fleet. Fancy footwork on the foredeck of Canada Green began to make it's impact and Mark Sadler squeezed two firsts and a second place in the last races to secure the winning gold medal position, with Sensation and Iain "Parky" Park Ross having to take silver medal spot, and a very disappointed Lapwing finishing third overall. Sea Minor, despite being protested left, right and centre during the Regatta finished a highly creditable 4th overall.

A special mention must go to John Waller on Tally Ho, who although not featuring in the top four boats, gave his very young crew two weekends of very exciting and educational racing. It's great to see such enthusiasm, well done John!

The results overall are as follows:

1st Canada Green John Levin/Mark Sadler 10 Points
2nd Sensation R. Munnik/Ian Psrk-Ross 12
3rd WSP Lapwing Alan Keen/Jennifer Burger 17"