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14 September 2004
A successful regatta was held on the 11th and 12th September. Pam Golding sponsored the Big Boat Regatta this year and as always, it was a superb event. The sponsors say they are extremely happy to be associated with Seal Point Yacht Club's Big Boat Regatta. A special mentioned must be made regarding the continued and welcome sponsorship (and of course their promotional girls) received by Jameson Whisky. Despite the fact that the Vaaldam is at approximately 42%, we had a really good entry of 34 yachts. Once the competitors had registered their yachts and joined in the carnival atmosphere at the club in the morning, they all set forth to challenge each other on the water. The wind conditions were a bit disappointing with a light and fluky eight to twelve knot North-Westerly wind to start off however this did freshen a bit during the day and the odd boat managed to broach in order to impress the spectators. There was the usual jostling interspersed with a few raised voices at the start but there were no casualties and the competitors got off to a clean start. Craig Schweitzer on his Mountgay "Nashua North" sailed off into the distance to take line honours. The Atlantis 36 "Apogon" also got away smartly leaving the rest of the fleet to catch up. Unfortunately the Mountgay's lead was not good enough as the handicap results gave Astove "Duty Free To Tango" skippered by Keith Vennel, the win; followed by Herbert Karolius on Beneteau 345 "Mysti Blue" and Adrian Pule on the Miura "Elwing". The race was shortened but still carried on into the night with Xanadu Too finally calling it quits at 19:15. A tired bridge picked up the line and returned back to the marina. On Sunday morning, the race was postponed for an hour due to the fact that the wind speed was non-existent. In fact the weather bulletin on the TV that morning quoted the wind speed as "nil" and the wind direction as "none". The boats crept around the course and fortunately the breeze picked up a bit towards the end. Once again "Nashua North" Came in first across the line giving them line honours for Saturday's and Sundays races. They managed a second on handicap with a very consistent and very well sailed "Duty Free To Tango" coming in first. Mark Van Heerden on the Stadt 34 "Nautibouy" came in third on handicap, which was enough for him to win the trophy for the most improved skipper. Great parties are synonymous with the Big Boat Regatta as is the feeling of good will and camaraderie. Manten Marina sponsored a Brass clock set in a ships wheel, which was raffled with all the proceeds going to the National Sea Rescue Institute. Pam Golding and Seal Point Yacht Club made a further donation to the NSRI. The final results are as follows:
POSITION BOAT TYPE SKIPPER
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