Agonising conditions don’t deter sailors in Offshore Series

THE Royal Natal Yacht Club’s Offshore Series saw eight yachts participated in agonising conditions offshore of Durban on Sunday with Ray of Light winning, Bellatrix in second place while Flyer was placed third.

The ‘There-and-Back’ race got under way with the big keelers gliding at snail’s pace over the start line in winds just under 1knot. The start line was set off Vetchies Pier with Race Officer for the day, RNYC’s Rear Commodore Rob Samways dropping the weather mark roughly 4NM from the start line, just beyond the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Late arrival, Spindrift skippered by Cowie’s Hills John Bandfield was the first boat to retire half way up to the mark.

With the clock edging close to the two hour elapsed time, the first boat rounded the bouy. Morningside’s Gregg Hurter helming Bellatrix turned hoisting his spinnaker with the time on 1hour 57minutes. Just over a minute later, Durban’s newest club member, Ray of Light skippered by Heidi Kavanagh worked hard to stay on Hurter’s tail.

The 44foot yacht, Ray of Light went further offshore on the long ride home catching a few puffs of breeze in the massive spinnaker that registered near 3knots while Hurter stayed close to shore. Port Shepstone’s Kavanagh’s gamble paid off as they managed to keep their bag filled. Hurter frustratingly found a few holes in the wind with his 40foot yacht just bobbing at stages.

Ray of Light crossed the line after having been out for three hours and 12minutes, Bellatrix finished eight minutes behind her narrowly missing out on the handicap win, needing to have finished within five minutes of Kavanagh.