Westville resident wins race

WESTVILLE resident, Jon Marshall claimed the honours in Point Yacht Club’s Jonsson Cup Pursuit Race on Saturday.

The zig-zag course in the bay had a fleet of 53 dinghies travelling to all corners of the harbour.

Marshall, the rear commodore for Keelers at Point Yacht Club traded in his larger, more familiar chariot for a much smaller Laser.

The race that got underway just beyond the Durban Marina saw the large mixed fleet head off in light conditions towards the harbour mouth.

Marshall said, it was a bit of an obstacle course dodging the busy afternoon shipping movements.

“On our first beat up we encountered our first challenge, a massive container ship arriving with a bevy of tugs around her. “We had a few more large vessels we had to quickly get out the way of.

“It was a fantastic race, long and hard work but great to be out there with all the guys. I am delighted with the win and just managed to take Gregg (Dobson) as we made our way down to the finish,” said Marshall.

Gregg Dobson who has recently returned to Durban could not wait to participate. The experienced yachite led for most of the race on his Laser, with Marshall just off his shoulder as they tackled the winding course designed to last two hours. As the duo neared the finish, Dobson opted for the more sheltered inland approach as Marshall did not go so near to land.

Marshall was in one of the larger fleets with 11 full rig Lasers on the water and a couple of smaller Lasers getting in some water time as well. The Flying Fifteens were the next best represented class with eight crafts taking up the challenge. There were a few larger ‘dinghies’ as well with a few youngsters getting in some training on the L26 Container World and two other keel boats participating.

The first junior to cross the line was Alex Thorpe (11) from Durban North helming a classic little Gypsey with his dad, Ralph. Alex was awarded the mini Jonsson Cup award. The easy to sail Gypsey is a South African designed two person boat that is ideal for learning to sail in. The Thorpes finished 21st overall.

The long hard slog for the 53 small boats ended with Jon Marshall crossing the line in just under two hours in Point Yacht Club’s Jonsson Cup Pursuit Race on Saturday.