Full racing lineup for Easter Weekend

THERE’LL be plenty of sailing over the Easter weekend when a number of top notch sailors from around the country will be descending on the magnificent setting of Durban’s Point Yacht Club beach site to compete in the Easter Regatta.

The four-days of racing takes place offshore of Durban for ocean going dinghies and includes the 505 and Dart Single Handed Nationals, the Hobie 14 Regionals and an open class category.

World class 505 sailor, Thomas Funke stated, “It is always a pleasure to be able to race with home ground advantage, and Durban is perhaps one of the best racing venues in the world, so we are extremely lucky and most definitely looking forward to this event!”

The current South African champs in the 505 class are the A team or Alex squared with the team of Alex Ham and Alex Burger hoping to reclaim their title but the teams of Kyle Klaas and Robert van Gruenewaldt, Ryan Robinson and Warwick Ham, and Ricky Robinson with James Largier will be pushing hard to get their name engraved on the trophy. Also in contention, will be Funke, competing with his brother, Peter. The Funke team have a number of both local and international results that put them in good stead for victory.

“We are hoping to get at least 15 boats on the water for the 505 family, which certainly will make for some fantastic fun for all involved!” continued Funke.

Making waves in the Hobie world, Garth Loudon continues on his impressive sailing streak, having just competed in Cape Town and finished ninth, “I was in Cape Town for most of March having hoped to compete in the Argus and then raced in the Hobie Tiger Nationals in Langebaan over the long weekend. Usually we are accustomed to sailing being blown out, so it was a bit of an amusing surprise having the Argus blown out!”

The in form Loudon is pegged as the favourite for the Hobie 14 Regionals but will have loads of pressure from the keen fleet of Durban sailors who have been training at every opportunity offshore of Durban. The Hobie fleet will also be using this opportunity to impress the selection committee for the Hobie 14 World Championships that take place later in July in Noordwijk aan Zee in the Netherlands. Loudon has already secured a berth for this event.

A maximum of 12 races will be held for all classes depending on the conditions. Race Officer for the event, Jimmy Melville, ably assisted by Kevin Bingham, will have a busy patch of water for the regatta with an expected fleet of over 60 boats participating. Two courses have been included in the Notice of Race with the boats either competing on a Windward/ Leeward course or an Olympic Course that consists of a Windward / Leeward / Triangle / Windward / Leeward course.

In the growing class of Darts in KZN, the competitors will be racing the single handed or one up catamaran for their much anticipated Nationals. Previous hot shot, defending champion Ben Meine from Stillbaai on the Vaal is rumoured to be taking part in the hopes of defending his title. Gauteng’s Meine recently was crowned Dart double handed champion in an event held offshore of Durban over the March long weekend.

Point Yacht Club Rear Commodore for Dinghies, Myles White said, “Although the focus will be on the three classes having their big events, a number of other competitors will also be taking this opportunity to venture offshore to get some water time as we have a busy winter season with major events for the Lasers, Flying Fifteens and Hobies in the calendar! Not forgetting the big boats that will be racing to Port Elizabeth in the upcoming Vasco da Gama race.”

The Easter long weekend will be an aquatic affair for a number of competitive sailors as they take to the warm waters for the Easter Regatta that takes place from the Point Yacht Club beach site.

For more info visit www.pyc.co.za or like the clubs Facebook page.