Ray of Light takes pursuit race

RAY of Light helmed by Heidi Kavanagh was in a league of its own as they convincingly took the honours in the Battle of Trafalgar Pursuit Race hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club offshore on Sunday.

The husband-and-wife team, Michael and Heidi Kavanagh, owned the pursuit race crossing the line two minutes ahead of nearest competitor, Wayne Smith racing on his catamaran Crazy Diamond. Smith was the last out of the blocks in the pursuit race and reeled in 8 boats, sailing a magnificent race to finish behind Ray of Light.

The Kavanagh’s large 43.8 foot boat crossed the start line over a minute after their start time under the power of the spinnaker. After a good run down to the leeward mark, the crew dropped the bag and prepared to round the buoy. As the team settled in on the rail, one of their men a bit too enthusiastically in getting to his position went overboard.

“Once we saw him go over, we overshot the mark so that we could turn around and pick him up.” Heidi Kavanagh said when she was back in the club.

Skipper of the rescue craft, Scorpio on standby at the buoy where the Refeloa Zililo went into the water, Alec McNamara boasted, “Their execution of the Man Over Board was the most phenomenal thing I have seen on the water. Ray of Light magically turned on their keel and just like that, plucked him out. He wasn’t in the water for more than two minutes. Amazing!”

Michael Kavanagh quietly said, “It was the first time in Durban I insisted all the guys wear their inflatable life jackets and I am truly glad I did. It couldn’t have happened at a better place, as we were rounding the leeward mark, so we were already turning, so didn’t impact too much on the race. As soon as Refeloa hit the water his lifejacket responded.”

Smiling, he continued, “The guy that went for a swim couldn’t have a more appropriate nickname amongst the sailors, and I think after today he can keep it. Known as Waterboy, he will certainly remember this race.”

Twenty boats were entered to compete in the pursuit race but only 11 boats braved the elements and raced. The start line was set just off Addington with the turning mark just off La Lucia Mall, seven nautical miles away. On the run towards the leeward mark, Majimoto skippered by Jon Marshall was forced to retire after their spinnaker pole bent and they had problems with their backstay holding up the mast.

Ray of Light registered a top wind speed of 42.9 at the top of their mast. All the boats started with the wind nearing 20 knots and long rolling swells, but as the day progressed the wind picked up with gusts knocking the fleet right over and the sea conditions worsening to resemble a washing machine.

This weekend sailors will be sailing offshore for the first of the Royal Natal Yacht Club’s Spring Series.