Rough seas don’t put a damper on sailing
Heavy winds gusting to well over 30knots made conditions hefty for the fleet of twelve yachts, but didn't discourage the fleet during the Royal Natal Yacht Club’s Dingy Series on Saturday in the bay just before the storm.
DURBAN’S weekend weather may have been miserable but didn’t dampen the hearts of Durban sailors as they took to hefty swells in two Royal Natal Yacht Club events.
Only 12 yachts braved the gusting winds that hit Durban before the storm on Saturday, in the second of the Royal Natal Yacht Club’s Dinghy Series which was held in the bay. The smallest of the dinghies decided that the weather was a bit too big for their small boats and retreated back to safety.
Laying a windward leeward course, the port control indicated the winds were blowing at 27knots in a north easterly direction. Race Officer Lucy De Freitas got the racing underway with two starts for the two classes on the water.
Five Flying Fifteens set off with Ballito’s Carl Zimmerman and Durban’s Mongezi Mfeka jostling for position on the line while experienced campaigner Jeremy Kriek, letting the drama unfold in front of him, quietly got on with his sailing. Kriek and his crew member, novice Flying Fifteen sailor Tjaart Kat from Margate sailed consistently, opting before the race not to fly their spinnaker in the blustery conditions. The duo led for the entire race, finishing ahead of Myles White and Estelle Buys, both from the Highway area. White, sailing on his new boat did well to work his way up the fleet to come second. Mfeka sailing with Andile Zulu finished third and the two other boats retired as their boats took a beating from the over 30knot gusts.
In the Laser class, four sailors took the sausage course with Henry Franken reading the conditions well to lead the smaller boats. Campbell Alexander who has just returned from sailing in England was close behind him and young Michael Dickinson sailing on a Radial, didn’t complete the race due to his boom being dislodged when a 35 knot gust came through the course damaging his rigging.
The larger keelers were faced with the dilemma of wanting to sail but not wanting to damage boats in the massive swells offshore again on Sunday. After much debate about running the first of their Offshore Series the fleet decided the safety of the harbour was best as outside resembled a washing machine.
Five yachts raced in the confines of the bay with Sticky Fingers helmed by the Rear Commodore Rob Samways tussling for the lead with Gavin Wadsworth sailing on Therapy. Samways had the edge on Therapy but hit the sandbank which lost him precious minutes, allowing Wadsworth’s nose in front. For the remainder of the race, Samways had to reel in the bigger yacht, just managing to get ahead of him moments from the finish. Sticky Fingers took line honours with Therapy taking handicap honours.
Special mention must be made to Container World crewed entirely by Glenwood High pupils. The young crew with Eli Brophy Tintinger at the helm kept persevering in the damp conditions with the four other boats well ahead of them.
The next sailing event is on Saturday for the penultimate of the Royal Natal Yacht Club Dinghy Series for this year and the sailors are hoping for better weather conditions.
Contact Gayle at the Royal Natal Yacht Club on 031 301 5425 for more about the club’s events.
