Local sailor leads team at nationals
The team from Point Yacht Club are led by uMhlanga’s John-Alan Harding and the regatta sees sailors take on 12 races over five days.
A GROUP of young sailors are hoping to make their club proud when they take on the Youth Nationals in Hermanus this week.
The team from Point Yacht Club are led by uMhlanga’s John-Alan Harding and the regatta sees sailors take on 12 races over five days.
In all, eight classes will line up on two race courses, with the local lads competing in three of the classes.
Harding will compete in the ILCA 4.7 class, joined by Durban’s Shalin Naidoo. Salt Rock resident Gust Funke will take on the Dabchick sailors while his younger brother, Kai, together with Hillcrest’s Ethan Kruger, will shape up against the country’s best Optimists racers.
Also read: Reddam House Umhlanga learner triumphs at world champs
At a tender age, the lads have already racked up a wealth of knowledge and experience. Harding, Naidoo, younger Funke and Kruger lined up with top international sailors in the African Mirror and the Marriott Mirror Worlds earlier this year, while Funke senior has just returned from competing in the Flying Fifteen Nationals.
Harding, a Reddam House Umhlanga learner, will tackle his second Youth Nationals.
“I’m really looking forward to this regatta. It is my first time in that part of the world, so after the event my family and I will be going sightseeing.”
The keen sailor competed in the ILCA Regionals in tough conditions offshore of Durban in July, placing first in his class.
He also competed in the 505 Nationals in June with Kruger’s dad, Denver.
“That was a tough one as neither of us were very familiar with such a technical boat. What I like most about the laser is the freedom of movement I have in it; it makes tacking easy, fast and fun. The boat is very responsive, making it difficult at first but very good once you get the hang of it,” he said.
The Youth Nationals began on Sunday, December 14 and end on Friday, December 19.
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