Local teens catch the wind
Sailors from across the Highway area took part in a joint event at the Henley Midmar Dam recently.
PHOTO: Sophie Thompson
DURBAN youngsters flew the Point Yacht Club burgee with pride as they took top spots in the combined KZN Inter-Schools Regatta and the KZN Youth Regional Championships at Henley Midmar Yacht Club.
The main class saw 19 boats compete. Leading the fleet was Cape Town’s Matt Ashwell from Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club.
Second place was Kegan Nel sailing for Victoria Lake Club in Germiston. Concluding the podium position, and claiming third place was Hillcrest Primary School’s Iain Bowman. Up-and-coming Bowman relished what was possibly the last oppie event.
Throughout the 10 races, Iain impressed the judges and onlookers with top scores of two second places and two thirds on his scorecard.
His younger brother, Scott, finished sixth in the Oppie class.
The Bowman brothers joined forces for the inter-school event and took ownership of the 2017 Junior Oppie trophy on behalf of Hillcrest Primary School.
In the Oppie class, Highbury’s Connor McLoughlin placed 11th individually and second in the inter-school event, competing against fellow school mate Connor Mc Gill.
Laser and Hobie sailors were forced to join classes due to fewer numbers, creating an open class.
Topping the individual log was Northwood’s Liam Fennessy on his Hobie 14. Chasing him hard was hot shot Hobie sailor, Dylan Albert from Reddam uMhlanga College. In third place was the hard working Matthew Hall from Atholl Heights, also sailing on a Hobie 14.
Overall in the team event, Westville Boys High School took the honours in the senior open class category with Henley Midmar’s own Daiman Somerville racing on a Laser Radial, joining forces with James Butler acing a top 10 on his Hobie 14.
Youth rear Commodore for PYC, Tracy Bowman, said, “It was so uplifting seeing the eagerness with which these young sailors took to the water. It was a fabulous event from start to finish, with so many memories made on and off the race course.”
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