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A feast of Sailing in the Bay

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Two sailing regattas are being sailed from the Algoa Bay Yacht Club this weekend.

The Boardwalk Hobie 16 Nationals will be sailed from 20 to 23 March 2014 and promises a spectacle for sailors and spectators on Hobie beach and the Shark Rock Pier.

In addition the International 505 Sailing class is expecting 14 boats and this year’s current world champion to sail in a practise regatta ahead of the hosting of the 505 World Championships in Nelson Mandela Bay. The 505 Regatta will run on a seperate course off Kings Beach.

Two South African Hobie sailing teams recently completed a one-two finish at the recent Hobie 16 World Championships held in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia sailed between 31 January and 10 February 2014.

William and Lucinda Edwards finished in first place and 4 points ahead of second placed Blaine and Roxanne Dodds also from Plettenberg Bay.

Both teams will be returning to Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth to sail in the Boardwalk Hobie 16 National Championships from 20 to 23 March 2014. The keen rivalry between these two champion teams is expected to continue as they finished the 2013 Hobie Nationals also in the same one-two placings.

Local sailor, Andrew Ward has been puting in time on the water and slimming down as he and his crew, Angela Ward look to improve their 3rd place in last year’s event.

Racing starts not before 11:00 am on Thursday 20 March and the Hobies will launch from Hobie Beach to sail offshore yet visible from the Shark Rock Pier and beachfront in front of The Boardwalk.

Racing will continue each day thereafter – weather dependent – until Sunday when the new champions will be crowned.

The Boardwalk Hobie 16 Nationals Regatta is organized by the Hobie 16 Class in conjunction with the Algoa Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) under the auspices of South African Sailing (SAS).

The start line on the second day of sailing during the 2013 Boardwalk Hobie Nationals. Photo by: Alan Straton
The start line on the second day of sailing during the 2013 Boardwalk Hobie Nationals. Photo by: Alan Straton
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.