Umdloti sailor Peter Blofield capped another strong offshore sailing campaign with a solid performance at the ORC National Championships during the 49th MSC Week in Durban.

Hosted by Point Yacht Club from July 6 to 10, the regatta saw Cape Town skipper Tony Norris and his crew aboard TNT Racing dominate the national championship, winning eight of the 12 races to comfortably claim the title.

Blofield, who recently relocated to Umdloti, steered Regardless 2 to sixth overall on handicap after a competitive week of racing against some of South Africa’s top offshore sailors.

His crew made an early statement by winning the long-haul race across the line ahead of both TNT Racing and CFM, one of the highlights of their regatta.

“It was a good week for us. Obviously winning the long-haul race over the line, beating both TNT and CFM to the finish, was great,” said Blofield.

“But we learnt a lot, so hopefully we can put that into practice next season.”

Blofield and his crew have enjoyed an impressive winter season after recently claiming a dramatic victory in the 55th Vasco da Gama Ocean Race to East London. They edged rivals Nigel Milln’s crew by just two seconds after a gruelling 265-nautical-mile race.

At MSC Week, Regardless 2 opened the regatta with four consecutive fourth-place finishes before ending sixth overall.

“It was great conditions offshore and everyone enjoyed the week,” Blofield said.

“There was some serious sailing against some fabulous competition from around the country. There wasn’t much separating us in the results, so it made for exciting, tight racing.”

The fleet of 28 yachts enjoyed classic Durban winter conditions throughout the week, with moderate winds providing competitive racing across the championship.

The keelboat season now enters its winter break before sailors return for Bart’s Bash later this year. Point Yacht Club will then celebrate its 135th anniversary with a busy summer programme that includes the 56th Vasco da Gama Ocean Race and the milestone 50th edition of MSC Week.