This was the first of the four Grand Slam events hosted during the sailing season, taking place at Theewaterskloof in December, followed by Hermanus and Simon's Town early next year.
The Eastern Cape Champs, also the Mosquito and Fireball Classes National Championships, were all incorporated in the Grand Slam event, which coincided with the Mossel Bay Sports Festival. 144 boats entered the event, with over 200 sailors from all over South Africa in atten-dance. There were three courses to accommodate all the different boat classes.
One of the event highlights was the presence of Olympic sailors, Roger Hudson and Asenati Jim, competing in the 470 class.
Racing commenced on Saturday 4 October in a 15 knot (30km/h) South-Easterly wind. This caused swells and difficult to sail, choppy water, offering the sailors quite a challenge. With the wind less of a factor on Sunday, the next sailing day, the swell was still notable.
Dolphins and even a whale or two offered sailors a special glimpse of Mossel Bay's marine life this time of year. Due to hot, windless conditions, sailing was cancelled on the Monday from 10:30.
Doing the host town proud, the Southern Cape sailors performed well.
Podium places for Mossel Bay sailors are as follows: Laser 4.7 class - Megan Robertson, second overall and first girl in fleet; 420 - Anke van Rooyen and Lea Smit, third only girls in fleet; Laser Standard - André Bedenkamp, 3rd; Tera sport - Abigail Sweeny, 2nd.
The Lasers at the start line during the Grand Slam event, hosted as part of the Sports Festival. Photos: Trevor Wilkens
Olympic sailors Roger Hudson and Asenati Jim in action on their 470.
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