Married duo take the win
More than 20 boats took part in the Battle of Trafalgar Pursuit Race at the weekend.
RAY of Light, helmed by Heidi Kavanagh, was in a league of its own as the duo took the honours in the Battle of Trafalgar Pursuit Race hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club last Sunday.
The husband and wife team, Michael and Heidi, crossed the finish line two minutes ahead of nearest competitor, Wayne Smith, on Crazy Diamond.
The Kavanagh’s large 44.7 foot boat crossed the start line and after a good run down to the leeward mark, the crew dropped the bag and prepared to round the buoy. As the team settled in on the rail, one of their men went overboard.
“Once we saw him go over, we overshot the mark so that we could turn around and pick him up,” said Heidi. Alec McNamara, skipper of the rescue craft, said: “Their execution of the Man Over Board was the most phenomenal thing I have seen on the water. Ray of Light magically turned on its keel and just like that, plucked him out. He wasn’t in the water for more than two minutes. Amazing!”
Michael said, “It was the first time in Durban I insisted all the guys wear their inflatable life jackets and I am truly glad I did. It couldn’t have happened at a better place, as we were rounding the leeward mark, so we were already turning, so it didn’t impact too much on the race. As soon as Refeloa Zililo hit the water his life jacket responded. The guy that went for a swim couldn’t have a more appropriate nickname among the sailors, and I think after today he can keep it. Known as water boy, he will certainly remember this race.”
Twenty boats were entered to compete in the pursuit race but only 11 boats braved the elements and raced. The start line was set just off Addington with the turning mark just off La Lucia Mall, seven nautical miles away. On the run towards the leeward mark, Majimoto, skippered by Jon Marshall, was forced to retire after their spinnaker pole bent and they had problems with their backstay.
Ray of Light registered a top wind speed of 42.9 at the top of their mast. All the boats started with the wind nearing the 20knots and long rolling swells but as the day progressed the wind picked up with gusts knocking the fleet over.
Sailors will take to the sea this weekend for an offshore race, the first of the Royal Natal Yacht Club’s Spring Series.
