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Plett Duo Clinch National Title in Algoa Bay

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4 days of sailing and 9 races later Blaine and Roxanne Dodds sailing for Knysna Yacht Club finally clinched the 2014 Boardwalk Hobie 16 Nationals – a title that has eluded them for the last three years of keen competition in Algoa Bay.

The three days of sailing presented a range of conditions but Port Elizabeth saved the best for last.

A mid morning start for bridge and officials saw the support team dotted around the still bay in the windless conditions whilst the fleet waited for the call for the final race which came at 1:30 pm as the promised South South East made it’s appearance over Cape Receife and settled into 9 to 10 knots.

An over eager start saw the dreaded Black Flag being raised for the restart and the slow jostle for the line began – two boats were adjudged over at the start; Andrew and Angela Ward from Algoa Bay Yacht Club and David and Rebecca Scott from the Dar Es Salaam Yacht Club earning them an OCS and maximum points of 31 points each.

The Dodds pair sailed a faultless and conservative race – getting ahead of the second placed William and Lucinda Edwards and covering them the whole course. Belinda and Ryan Hayward slipped in between the Edwards’ and Dodds’ boat to gain second place and a clear winner was apparent with Blaine and Roxanne finishing the regatta on 13 points with the Edwards’ 2 points behind and the Haywards’ trailing a further 20 points behind in third place.

The top Port Elizabeth based boat finished in 4th place sailed by Robert Archibald and daughter Alexa. Despite two OCS’ Andrew and Angela Ward sailed to 7th place in the 30 boat fleet.

The top three finishers overall:

  1. Blaine and Roxanne Dodds – Knysna Yacht Club on 13 points
  2. William  and Lucinda Edwards – Knysna Yacht Club on 15 points
  3. Belinda and Ryan Hayward – Fish Hoek Beach Sailing Club on 35 points.
Rob and Alexa Archibald
The joy of Hobie 16 Sailing – Rob and Alexa Archibald flying a hull at 20 knots. Photo: Alan Straton.
Blaine and Roxanne Dodds
Blaine and Roxanne Dodds sailing for KYC clinched their first victory in Port Elizabeth on the final of three Hobie 16 Nationals sailed in Port Elizabeth on Sunday 23 March 2014. Photo: Alan Straton.
William and Lucinda Edwards
William and Lucinda Edwards sailed to second position at the closure of the 9 races sailed in the Boardwalk Hobie 16 Nationals on Sunday 23 March 2014. Photo: Alan Straton.
Race 9 Start
Race 9 – the last race of the 2014 Boardwalk Hobie 16 Nationals starts under a black flag. Photo: 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.