Wind plays havoc with regatta

MOSSEL BAY SAILING NEWS - Last weekend the Mossel Bay Sailing Club had its first ever interclub regatta.

The famous Mossel Bay south westerly came through on Saturday.

The fleet was entertained with a rowing competition around a mark, with many sailors taking an unexpected swim. At 16:00 the fleet got on the water with a dying wind.

The only wind that was left was a "switchy" westerly. One race was sailed in frustrating circumstances. The second race was abandoned after another 90% switch occurred, sending the fleet back with only one race for the day.

Sunday dawned very still, with concerns that sailing would continue in this frustrating trend. However, the first race was sailed in a steady eight knots and from there the wind just improved to a good 12 to 14 knots.

This wind was exciting for the seasoned sailors but the new sailors could also keep up. Spectators were entertained with colourful spinnakers over the bay and a few spectacular capsizes. After four races the cut-off times were reached and happy, tired sailors returned back to shore.

The racing was done on handicap, making it possible for different classes of boats to sail against one another.

The old seadog, Pieter de Villiers, walked away on top of the Catamaran fleet, with Chris Bubb-Naude and Ashley Layland second and Jannes Prinsloo third.

Jowayden Jacobus and Dovin Kannemeyer continued their successful streak from the last interclub competition, where they finished second, with a first in the dinghy fleet.

Oliver Holden and Likhona Kanunu finished only two points behind them. Collin Smith came a close third, followed by Calvin Alexander (fourth) and the club's youngest sailor, Christian Cilliers (fifth).

“This was a small regatta and we got a chance to test our systems and equipment,” club commodore Elfie Holden said. "Now we are ready to handle bigger regattas. The Mossel Bay Sailing Club will be hosting the Optimist class training and selection event in two weeks’ time.”

Renier Delie and Khanya Mafuta came eighth overall. With them is Elfie Holden.