Sailors set to flock to anticipated offshore regatta
For the IRC class 1 and micro-multihulls, a maximum of 12 races will take place, including a possible middle distance race.
ONE of the most anticipated offshore regattas that happen annually offshore of Durban is fast approaching – the weeklong MSC Week hosted by the Point Yacht Club takes place from 28 June to 3 July.
The MSC Week invites one-design, racing or cruising keelboats and any racing or cruising category two offshore multihull yacht. The series also incorporates the J22 nationals championships and the L26 provincial championships.
The first race will start at 2pm on Sunday, 28 June with a warm-up race being held in the bay and the remainder of the racing taking place on a race track set offshore of Durban. There will be a maximum of 15 races taking place for the IRC 2, L26 and J22 classes, including a possible middle distance race.
For the IRC class 1 and micro-multihulls, a maximum of 12 races will take place, including a possible middle distance race. The slower MSC racing class will only do a maximum of five races around a course determined by the race officer according to the weather on the day. A total of four races need to be sailed to constitute a series. The offshore racing will commence at 11am around the buoys and if the race officer, Dave Rushton decides to challenge the competitors with a middle distance race, it will start at 10.30am.
“This regatta is notorious for being seriously fun, both on and off the water. We have a number of sailors from around the country bring their boats to join in the racing and take advantage of the superb weather we have in Durban this time of year,” enthused regatta convenor, Ron Pet.
In the build-up to the prestigious Lipton Challenge Cup, a number of L26s will be getting their bellies wet as they get in some competitive training ahead of the national five day challenge down in False Bay.
“The MSC Week has always been a must in any sailor’s diary to come along and compete,” long-time competitor and honorary life president for the Point Yacht Club, Vernon Goss, said. “The rivalry on the water is great to see as all the Lipton competitors use this event to test how their training is going. And to have the nationals for the J22 as well, we are in for a bumper series with lots of boats out on the water. It is wonderful to see the interest in our great sport growing.”
The MSC Week is about to make a huge splash as many of the local Durban sailors will be heading offshore for the weeklong series from 28 June to 3 July.
For more info visit www.pyc.co.za or like the club’s Facebook page.
