SAILING NEWS - The Knysna Yacht Club attracted boats and sailors from across the Garden Route and Eastern Cape last weekend for two days of racing in its interclub regatta.
A fleet of 40 boats took part in this year's edition of the annual event, split across three different categories.
There was the fast dinghy category, which featured the most participants with a total of 29 boats flying their sails over the two days with four teams taking part. This category covered the Finn, Ilca, GP and Sprog vessels.
The slower dinghy category saw six sailors and boats taking part, with Toppers, Tera Sport and Dabchick boats all featured. Finally there was the catamaran category, which this year had five entrants – three Hobie 14s and two Hobie 16s – and two teams.
The regatta took place on 18 and 19 March, with varying courses set out around the Knysna Estuary. The starting point varied at times, determined by the yacht club's "committee boat", but the finish line always remained at the yacht club itself.
The first day, Saturday 18 March, was a beautiful day for the layman but not for participating sailors as there was barely a lick of wind moving about. They managed to fit in two races before the call was made to abandon racing for the day due to far-from-ideal conditions.
The next day, however, brought perfect sailing conditions. With sunny skies and a few unassuming clouds overhead, the wind reached upwards of 15 knots at times.
The boats filled the Knysna Estuary during the weekend.
The wind sustained itself throughout the day, enabling them to squeeze in four races to compensate for those lost on day one.
Upon conclusion of the second day, the prize-giving was held and all the worthy winners duly rewarded for their efforts.
In the catamaran fleet it was Judith Herald who was victorious, with Jessica Seath and Dylan Swales second overall and the best team. In the slow fleet Wayden Goliath was victorious, winning three of the six races, while Renier Delie was second.
Finally in the fast fleet Knysna local Dave Shilton took first place, having won four of the six races held.
Fellow Knysnarian Yogi Divaris was in second place. Tony Barry and Paul Thompson were the fastest team. In the slow fleet Mossel Bay Yacht Club came out tops while Knysna Yacht Club took home the honours in both the catamaran and fast fleets.
Knysna Yacht Club thanks its sponsors Re/Max Coastal, Lombkor, Knysna Spar and SO-CA Knysna for making the day possible. They also thank George Lakes Yacht Club, Redhouse Yacht Club and Mossel Bay Yacht Club for taking part this year.
Lulonke Lewis attempts to steer his boat to the finish line on Sunday.
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