Durban’s ‘Hobie Heroes’ return from nationals

DURBAN'S Hobie heroes, Garth Loudon and Robbie Edouard-Betsy raced magnificently in the recent Hobie 16 Nationals held at Lake Deneys Yacht Club in Gauteng on Saturday and Sunday 23 and 24 October.

After 14 races, the duo placed proudly in podium position with well-deserved silver behind world champion, Blaine Dodds and his daughter Roxy. Only one point separated Cape Town’s father and daughter team and Durban’s Loudon and Edouard-Betsy.

The two rivals battled it out on the water with some hard-core sailing and great duels, with Dodds squared taking five first places, two seconds and three thirds while the Durban team scorecard had four first places, four second places and a third as their better results.

Loudon stated, “It was a risk for the event to be held on the dam but it turned out fantastically. We had nice competition and really good winds for both the Provincials and the Nationals. We came second in both, in the Provincials behind William and Lucinda Edwards and then behind Blaine and Roxy for the main event.”

“We have been working hard to get near Blaine and it is paying off. I have been sailing against Blaine for pretty much my whole Hobie career, which spans about 40years now. The hard work is paying off. We so nearly had him this year; it was so tantalisingly close the entire time. A mere point made the difference but hopefully next year will be better.” a determined Loudon said after the regatta.

Loudon, who has earned his Springbok colours racing Hobies is still highly competitive in the sport, “Robbie and I will be heading down to Plett to race in the Clement Gold Regatta in December. Our aim is to race against William and Blaine as often as possible to get as much tight racing in as possible. Then next year the Hobie 14 or 16 Nationals hopefully will be held here in Durban, so home turf for us.”

Other Durban sailors to have featured in the top ten were Andrew Heathcote and Maya Opperman claiming seventh position out of the 41 sailors. The recently formed team walked away with a win in the twelfth race, promising great things for the future. Another new team, Wayne Smith and Leandre

Engelbrecht also had an impressive time on the water finishing one point behind Heathcote and Opperman.

The next event where the Hobies will be competing in is the main dinghy event in Point Yacht Club’s 125th season, the Jonsson Cup taking place on Saturday, 5 November.

Visit www.pyc.co.za or like the club’s Facebook page for more information.