Local sailors recognised at awards
The classes that were recognised were Keeler, Dinghy and Hobies that competed over the 2015/2016 season.
ALL classes of Durban sailors gathered after a hugely successful season at the annual Point Yacht Club Prize Giving recently with winners being acknowledged for their efforts on the water. The classes that were recognised were Keeler, Dinghy and Hobies that competed over the 2015/2016 season. Also congratulated at the ceremony were youth sailors who have achieved both at club level and higher.
Special mention goes to Benji Daniel and Chad Stevenson who will be representing South Africa at the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Youth World Championships that takes place in Auckland, New Zealand this year. They are the only Durban sailors who have made the team to travel across in December.
Doing well racing in the keeler category were Sean Jones on Bandit; Olivia Jane skippered by Neil Millar and Brad Rayson on Flyer all achieving four top results over the season. Not far behind, with three medal placings were Robin Hulley on his Mafuta, Andrew Dolloway on his trimaran Ladybird and Tequila Sunrise skippered by Kevin Rainer.
Placing in the dinghies were Rear Commodore for Dinghies, Myles White and his partner Estelle Buys with three firsts and a third over the season. Up-and-coming Iain Bowman scored two firsts and a second sailing his Oppie.
Young Bowman can be seen on the water most weekends all by himself honing his skills and is one of the most eager sailors at the club. Hobie sailor, Dylan Albert was acknowledged in both the dinghy and Hobie classes for his continued keen efforts on the water. Albert scored a first and third sailing in the bay against some of the top Hobie sailors in the world. In the junior category, Albert sailing with James Butler competed in the recent youth World qualifiers finishing fourth.
In the same event, Jethro Brophy-Tintinger, sailing with Sarah-Anne Hall finished their qualifiers off in third place. Brophy-Tintinger had a magnificent season racing Hobies and was awarded the Most Improved Sailor in the Hobie category. Currently competing overseas, Mt Edgecombe’s Garth Loudon together with Robbie Robbie Edwards-Bettsy won the European Hobie 16 Grand Masters at the end of July.
Rounding off an exceptional season for the duo having won the Hobie 16 Provincials a month ago, the team walked away winning the Hobie 16 Category. Loudon also was awarded the prize in both the Hobie 14 category, with a second result in the Hobie 14 Nationals, finishing just behind legendary Blaine Dodds.
