22 March 2005

The 8th Annual MACS Shipping 24 Hour Challenge was held on the 19 & 20th March at Milnerton Aquatic Club. There were 28 boats entered and for the first time this year we had the Sonnet class entered. The Sonnet team called Chipmunks from ZVYC won line honours as well as on handicap. It must be noted that this team was made up of six Oppie sailors and one Dabchick sailor and these young men really gave the older chaps something to think about. Great sailing chaps.

The wind during the event varied from 0 to 9.3 knots and the event was unfortunately temporarily suspended at 23:14 due to very thick fog and no wind. This gave the sailors a break of about 9 hrs before the sailing was restarted at 08:00 when the fog lifted and the wind picked up to 9.3 knots for a very good finish.

The results were as follows:

Line Honours

POSITION	TEAM	CLUB	CLASS
1st	Chipmunks	ZVYC	Sonnet
2nd	FBYC Dolphins	FBYC	Sonnet
3rd	Team Kyotic	MAC	Enterprise

Handicap

POSITION	TEAM	CLUB	CLASS
1st	Chipmunks	ZVYC	Sonnet
2nd	FBYC Dolphins	FBYC	Sonnet
3rd	The Shed Hooligans	MAC	Sonnet

Thanks must go to our event sponsors MACS Shipping, Abbott’s College, Software Futures and The DIY Shop. Thanks also to all the competitors and the great team of supporters ashore always shouting encouragement to their teams. Hope to see all of the participants back next year and bring your club mates with.

Keep your eyes on Smooth Sailing and the MAC website (www.maclub.co.za) for details of next year’s event.