GOING for gold or in this case, a Guinness World Record, Durban’s sailing fraternity will be hitting the water in the global sailing challenge, the inaugural Bart’s Bash on Sunday 21 September.

Bart’s Bash will try and enter the record books as the largest sailing race in 24 hours at multiple venues worldwide. More than 4 000 sailors from around the world and 650 clubs will be participating in the fun event, including the Royal Natal Yacht Club. The charity event falls on the yacht clubs Opening Cruise that opens up the summer sailing season in Durban.

Andrew Simpson, MBE, nicknamed ‘Bart’ was an English sailor who won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics crewing for Iain Percy in the Star Class and trained with Sir Ben Ainslie. Bart died in a training session for the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco when the catamaran tragically capsized in May 2013, trapping him underneath.

Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Graham Rose said, “We are delighted to be a part of this record breaking attempt. The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation was set up after his death to inspire the next generation of young people through sailing in and around the world. Here in Durban we are also trying to grow our great sport and continue to encourage people to discover the world of sailing!”

The sailing race is set locally by each participating club but needs to meet the Guinness World Record rules. The course has to be over 1km and competitors need to sail for longer than 15 minutes. The race requires a single start and finish point and there must be at least 25 boats taking part at each location.

Rose continued, “We will be racing in the harbour after all our formalities for opening up our sailing season. The day will begin with the annual sail past where the flotilla of yachts all follow in a single line past the dignitaries sitting on a dressed-up yacht to don their cap before heading off to race in the Bart’s Bash.”

The start of the local summer sailing season marks the start of the club’s 157th sailing season and also 157 years of enjoying racing on the bay.

Contact Gayle at the Royal Natal Yacht Club on 031 301 5425 for more information.