Lightning strikes at yacht club
Fortunately the yacht was on a trailer in the boatyard so no-one was injured
The beautiful Highveld afternoon storms also have a very nasty side to it.
On Thursday March 21 during the annual general meeting of the Hunter Class Association a visiting yacht ‘Spottimoto’ was hit by lightning.
Fortunately the yacht was on a trailer in the boatyard so no-one was injured.
Unfortunately the boat was left with two holes in the hull.
The annual general meeting was the frontrunner of the national championships competition for the Hunter class yachts held over the weekend of March 21 to March 24 at Witbank Yacht and Aquatic Club (WYAC).
The event attracted entries from the Vaal Dam, Henley Midmar Yacht Club, the Red House Yacht Club and John Latilla previously a WYAC member but now a member of Trailer Sailer Yacht Club in Queensland in Australia.
Friday’s racing saw a total of seven races completed in fairly brisk winds and on Saturday five races back to back. The wind blew constantly putting the yachtsmen through their paces.
After Saturday’s sailing enough races had been completed to qualify for a championships event.
Throughout the event lucky draws were held for one spinnaker and two prestigious watches.
At the prize giving on Saturday evening Paul Changuin and Tim Duguld were awarded a first place.
The duo is from Henley Midmar Yacht Club.
Second place was awarded to local yachtsmen John Bruckman and Dave Martinson from WYAC.
Third place went to Tony Cockerill and Kevin Kirkman also from Henley Midmar Yacht Club.
