Pursuit race opens up summer sailing seaon

THE Jonsson Cup Pursuit Race is a huge highlight on the dinghy sailing calendar historically, as the event opens up a busy summer sailing season for the Point Yacht Club early this Saturday afternoon, 25 October.

After the global success of the Bart’s Bash World Record Attempt that started the season for the keelers, the smaller boats finally get their opportunity on the water. The iconic dinghy race, the Jonsson Cup is the oldest dinghy race in Durban. Sailors will take to the bay to challenge each other for the magnificent trophy.

The pursuit race is extremely exciting as it starts off very technically. The start time for all the boats were staggered according to their boat handicap or boat rating, this is scientifically worked out according to the boat weight, sail area, boat design and many other factors.

The slower boats go off first with the faster boats chasing them down. “We are hoping to get a number of entries on the water for this event,” eager event oo-ordinator, Lucy De Freitas said. “The finish is the best part. If things go according to plan, most of the fleet dash for the line, making it quite tight as we all converge on the finish.”

Defending champion, young Sean Hurter will be back to defend his title. He won the race last year on a Dabchick, a proudly South African designed one-man dinghy. The up-and-coming sailor has just returned from competing in the ISAF Youth World Championships in Tavira, Portugal. He was racing, together with his older brother Euan in the 29er class.

Continuing, De Freitas added, “The idea is to bring young and old together and for the speed merchants like Hobies and 49ers to chase the slower Mirrors and Dabchicks. Over the years the middle speed boats like Flying Fifteens and Lasers have often won. It is a fun event with Boat Park abuzz with music and vibe with the spring upon us.”

The pursuit race has a clock on it, once racing gets underway, the sailors have two hours to complete racing until the race officer stops the chase. If no boat has crossed the line, then whichever boat is in the lead is awarded first place.

“It is a testing race, two hours on the water in a dinghy is hard work. You can’t rely on crew members to make it easier as there are only one or two people on a boat. Sailing dinghies is highly physical and I am sure that all of the guys will have a great work out,” she concluded.

Point Yacht Club is hoping not only for glorious warm weather for the event, but for all dinghy and cat sailors to join them on the water inviting hobies and darts form the beach site and the Halcats from the Royal Natal Yacht Club camp to join them on the day.

Visit www.pyc.co.za or like their Facebook page Point Yacht Club for more information.