MOSSEL BAY SPORT NEWS - The three Mossel Bay sailors who attended the World Topper Championships are back and at their desks, catching up on their school work, reports the head of the Skipper Foundation in town, Elfie Holden.
"What a privilege it was and an experience they will never forget," says Holden.
Bradon Kretzmann said: "It was amazing meeting old and new friends. I managed to end up in the silver fleet and I learnt a lot through the competition."
James Bull said he did not want to return home as the sailing and companionship of likeminded people were so special.
However, this world championship was again plagued by light winds after Holden promised them some good winds.
How could she have foreseen a major heatwave with little wind in Holland, she asks humorously. The first day was sailed in pleasant 15 to 20 knots, however, the short Ljeermeer waves kept the boys humble.
"If you gave a quick pump of the sail and moved your body weight at the right moment you could surf these waves, however, get it wrong and your boat would fill up with water and your rhythm would be lost," Holden said.
"The second day was hot and windless, and the fleets only got on the water after 16:00, enjoying the late setting sun of the northern hemisphere. The wind offered a light eight knots that was not what our sailors came for.
"Wednesday brought no good news - six to eight knots - and shifty gusties.
"The finals of the championship started on the Thursday, with the fleet being divided into gold, silver and bronze. Bradon was delighted: he made the silver fleet his goal for this year. The breeze kept on dropping and racing was abandoned as it dropped below five knots.
"During Thursday night the temperature finally broke with a major thunderstorm and strong breeze. The sailors rose to a lovely 12 to14 knots, but the storm whipped up those famous, steep, choppy waves. The race officer managed to fit three races in this final day. It took lots of concentration and skill to keep the boat nose out of those waves," Holden reports.
The final results saw Bradon Kretzmann finishing 47th in the silver fleet and Waydon Goliath 15th and James Bull 23rd in the bronze fleet.
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