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ABYC Dinghy Regatta – 10 November 2013

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On Sunday 10 November the Algoa Bay Yacht Club hosted the second dinghy regatta of the weekend of 9 and 10 November 2013 which saw an entry of 18 boats of which only 11 managed to sail at least one race.

Once again high winds and equipment breakages managed to sort the prepared from the unprepared as, before the start of the first race, 7 boats (4 in Fleet 1 and 3 in Fleet 2) opted for the comfort of the yacht club lawns after limping back or being towed in from the harbour.

Once again the weather gods were kind to the fleet with a 12 to 20 knot westerly breeze offering fast sailing on relatively flat water which the Laser fleet took full advantage of. Gaining confidence on the their second day the pairing of Colin Benade and Bronwyn van Wyngaardt in Benade’s immaculate 1985 Sonnet were a welcome entry into the top three finishers in Fleet 1.

In Fleet 2, Carel Hoogendoorn made the regatta his own by sailing all three races and winning the regatta.

Sailors had to be consistent and not make mistakes as this regatta was only sailed over three races with no discard and all races to count. The first race saw the fleet pushing the short neutral start line as they jostled for position and a good start. The second race saw one boat being penalised for being OCS (On Course Side) and scoring maximum points, resulting in a more subdued fleet start for the 3rd and final race of the day.

The short and very fast reach leg contributed to some spectacular sailing and speed as the boats felt the effects of the wind being channeled down from ABYC – great fun for the spectators deck having lunch on the deck as they witnessed spray flying from the Lasers on their way to the gybe for the bottom mark which was laid close to the harbour wall.

Conditions favoured the smaller sailed Radial and 4.7 Lasers who sailed the classic Olympic course of Triangle, Sausage, Triangle on a course laid within the confines of the Port Elizabeth Harbour.

Fleet 1’s top 3 finishers all sail for Redhouse Yacht Club whilst all of Fleet 2 consisted of ABYC members.

Results:

Fleet 1:

  1. Patrick Butler – Laser 4.7
  2. Colin Benade (RYC), Crew: Bronwyn van Wyngaardt (ABYC) – Sonnet
  3. Justin Harth – Laser Radial

Fleet 2:

  1. Carel Hoogendoorn
  2. Sigi Bailes
Lasers Young and Old
Sailing is one of the few sports that sees old and young, male and female compete against each other on the same course.

See more images and full results here: Dinghy Regatta Sunday 10 November 2013.

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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.