The results are in – sailors ‘blown away’ by Laser Nationals
A large fleet of 53 Lasers competed in the three classes.
COMPETITIVE sailors from around South Africa arrived in Durban for the ILCA Laser Nationals hosted by Point Yacht Club from August 10 – 12.
The event, which took place off Durban’s coast, presented three testing days for competitors with large sea swells and gusty northeasterly conditions.
Race officer Kevin Bingham was applauded for running courses that were just the right length and laying start lines that were true and long, making sailors think.
Isabella Keytel from Zeekloe Vlei Yacht Club claimed the top spot in the ILCA 4s after an almighty duel with Olivia Purchase from Milnerton Aquatic Club.
The women ended the nationals tied with 16 points. Keytel, who was the overnight leader after the first day, found herself two points behind Purchase at the start of the final day. In her last two races, she magicked up two magnificent wins, taking her total tally of victories to four and edging Purchase out, who had three first places to her name after ten races.
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Commenting on her victory, Keytel said, “The regatta was tough, but the conditions were amazing! The conditions definitely tested me, but it was lovely weather for Nationals. My best moment was being with my friends and sailing at a new venue, which was awesome.”
Local lad Rudy McNeill made a comeback of note after a five-year break from sailing Lasers. This is not his first success – McNeill has won the main class, the ILCA 7s, three times before, with his last success in 2015 on home waters. The north-of-Durban resident also has two ILCA 4 titles to his name.
McNeill scored nine first places out of the 10 races in total. Having done enough to secure victory, he didn’t compete in the final race, resting his weary body.
“The conditions were physical, to say the least, but I definitely felt like it suited me. I have always loved sailing in a steady NE in Durban,” he said.
Representing Stillbaai Yacht Club was Keagen Nel who defended his title in the ILCA 6s.
“It was a good overall regatta with not too many hiccups. The conditions were a bit too strong but still an absolute blast to be sailing offshore,” he said.
Also read: MSC Cruises resumes sailing in South Africa
The next big event to take place offshore of Durban is the Hobie 16 Nationals, with Point Yacht Club hosting the catamaran sailors from September 22 to 25. For more info, visit www.pyc.co.za or like the club’s Facebook page or follow their Instagram account.
Full results
ILCA 4
1 – Isabella Keytel (ZVYC) 16pts; 2 – Olivia Purchase (MAC) 16pts; 3 – Chiara Fruet (USYC/MAC) 24pts; 4 – Aydin O’Hara (SYC) 24pts; 5 – Jacques Dugas (ZVYC) 25pts; 6 – JP Buys (GLYCV) 50pts; 7 – Michael Engelbrecht (LDYC) 58pts; 8 – Maggie Vermaak (PYC) 59pts; 9 – Michaela Barrett (HMYC) 64pts; 10 – Jessica Curtiss (PYC) 81pts.
ILCA 6
1 – Keagan Nel (SYC) 12.5pts; 2 – Jethro BrophyTintinger (HMYC) 21.5pts; 3 – Simon Baer (ESC) 23pts; 4 – Aaron Ward (HMYC) 24pts; 5 – Jeromy McLoughlin (PYC) 33pts; 6 – Brett Clark (VLC) 36pts.
7 – Shellee Nel (SYC) 41pts; 8 – Helen Jansen van Vuuren (VLC) 50pts; 9 – Natasha Brown (SYC) 67pts; 10 – Lara Dugas (ZVYC) 69pts; 11 – Connor McLoughlin (HMYC) 83pts; 12 – Marcel Vermaak (PYC) 94pts; 13 – Robert Clark (VLC) 108pts; 14 – Jason Engelbrecht (LDYC) 113pts; 15 – Thomas Street (HMYC) 117pts; 16 – JP Buys (GLYCV) 138pts; 1 – Mathew Olsen (HMYC) 138pts
ILCA 7
1 – Rudy McNeil (PYC) 8pts; 2 – Alistair Keytel (ZVYC) 20pts; 3 – Kai Leslie (HYC) 22pts; 4 – Georgou Divaris (KYC) 22pts; 5 – Campbell Alexander (PYC) 39pts; 6 – Alan Keen (ZVYC) 39pts; 7 – Luke Wagner (HMYC) 49pts; 8 – Thomas Funke (PYC) 62pts; 9 – Warren Harvey (RHYC) 67pts; 10 – Henri Frencken (PYC) 79pts; 11 – Barry Hundley (ESC) 85pts; 12 – Duncan Hawkesworth (BSC) 85pts; 13 – Dudley Thomson (BSC) 112pts; 14 – Leon de Raay (PSC) 112pts; 15 – Estian du Plooy (ZYC) 113pts; 16 – Patrick McCarthy (RHYC) 116pts; 17 – Clive Whitburn (VLC) 119pts; 18 – David Nieman (BSC) 148pts; 19 – Ashley Rainier (PYC) 149pts; 20 – Ian Campbell (BSC) 155pts; 21 – Jimmy Peters (ZYC) 163pts; 22 – Richard Bate (PYC) 184pts.
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