The following report on the 2004 Quadrangular Regatta, sailed from the Royal Cape Yacht Club on the 6th of March, was sent to us by Shirley Mullins:

"We had the Skipper's Briefing at Royal Cape Yacht Club at 09h10. Here we were given a bit of background information on how the race started. It appears that way back in the 1960's, two gentleman became full of bravado in the bar and the SA Navy Officer challenged one of RCYC 's members that they were the best sailors, and so the challenge was born…Not for the faint of heart, this event was traditionally sailed in whalers, but more modern boats are used today.

The Teams for 2004 were as follows:

S A S UNITIE - represented by Steven Bentley on board Cape Recife (L26) , S A S YSELSTEIN - represented by Myles Bissett on board Escape (L26) , General Botha Old Boys - represented by Ian Lindsay on board Phantom (Muira) and Royal Cape Yacht Club - represented by Bat Tromp on board Apricot (Muira).

The Quadrangular Yacht Race was held in Table Bay Harbour. There was a very light westerly wind blowing, clear blue skies, flat seas and the back drop of Table Mountain.

The first race consisted of a triangular course. The conditions were so light, the yachts barely moved. Several times we contemplated shortening the course but in the end the wind came through and everyone finished. The race was won by Apricot. We dashed off to Granger Bay to have lunch at the General Botha Old Boys' headquarters, which is an absolutely stunning venue with yachts moored out on the marinas. The moorings and lunch were organised by Tony Nicholas, Cape Town Chairman. The clubhouse is beautifully decorated with framed knots boards, an array of flags proudly hung along the walls and pictures of ships from days gone by.

After a fine lunch of filled rolls and some "refreshments" from the Bar, the teams prepared for Race 2 of the day.

At 13h45 we left Granger Bay to start the second race. An "Olympic" style course consisting of a triangle followed by a sausage, the race started at 14h30. The wind picked up and the sea became a bit choppy. Apricot was in the lead again, followed by Phantom. Cape Recife and Escape, the two L26's, were not doing too well.

The race finished at 16h19 and we made our way to the Royal Cape Yacht Club. I compiled the results while Commander Morom, Capt. Doc. O'Shea and the rest of the crew all went to set up for the Prize Giving which was being held at S A S UNITIE at 17h30.

The winners were as follows:

Race 1 : S A S Unitie vs S A S Yselstein - The Bell Trophy: Winner - SAS YSN. S A S Unitie vs RCYC - Micky's Mug: Winner - RCYC RCYC vs General Botha Old Boy's : Winner RCYC

Race 2 : S A S Unitie vs GBOB - Barrel Trophy: Winner - GBOB S A S Yselstein vs GBOB - The Old Salts Trohpy : Winner GBOB RCYC vs SAS Yselstein - The Yselstein Trophy: Winner RCYC

Overall honours for the day, in the shape of the Van Winsen Trophy, went to 'Apricot' of RCYC.

Commander Morom and Capt. 'Doc' O'Shea handed out the prizes. Commander John Bennett, now in his 80's, who together with the late Capt. Phillip Nankin, was one of the first Naval officers to initiate the event, was a guest of honour and told those present some more stories surrounding the Quadrangular Challenge.

The event is really a family event, the husbands go out sailing and when they get back to shore, the wives, children and friends are waiting for them to join in on the fun. S A S UNITIE had all their Senior Officers present and they also joined us out on the water.

Disaster nearly struck when S A S UNITIE's fridge played up and the beers were ice cold (much to everyone's delight). The cooldrinks were like blocks of ice and one of the ladies announced that they only had slush puppies on sale (similar to drinks sold at the movies) - the children, not knowing the difference, loved it!

I was so struck by the amount of effort that went into this "small " event. It is a non-profitable event, which is organised by people for the love of sailing and to keep the tradition alive. Sadly, with the demise of SAS YSELSTEIN and the proposed closure of SAS UNITIE in April 2005, next year may well be the final chapter in this fun-filled, traditional sailing event, in its present form."