National boost for team sailing
HEAD-TO-HEAD battles on the water are set to become the latest trend in corporate events with the launch of the new SA Sailing Team Sailing League.
School and varsity showdowns and women’s challenges are also on the cards, as are inter-club competitions.
This is the latest move from SA Sailing to expose the sport to a wider audience and open it up to those who have never had the opportunity to experience the thrill of sailing before.
“This new Team Sailing League (TSL) has the potential to boost the number of sailors in South Africa, to transform the sport and make sailing accessible to all South Africans and that’s a very exciting prospect,” said SA Sailing chairman, Peter Hall.
SA Sailing CEO Greg Smith added: “The TSL is a team sailing league where two teams of three boats compete against each other in equally matched two-person sailing boats.
“This programme has been developed to grow sailing and reintroduce the magic for new and existing sailors by introducing the element of competition.”
The league will be launched at an exhibition event at Milnerton Aquatic Club next Saturday.
KwaZulu-Natal have announced a diverse team to compete at the launch.
“The oldest member of the team is 57, and the youngest is 15,” said Cay Hickson, SA Sailing-KwaZulu-Natal Regional Coordinator.
“The team is very varied, with some members coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, with little sailing experience and few opportunities in life, while other sailors have attended international regattas and have had a lot of sailing experience,
“Two young sisters, Sunita (17) and Nicolene (15) Henkeman are members of the Sea Cadets and though they are young they are very professional in their outlook.”
With the financial backing of the National Lotteries Commission, SA Sailing has commissioned the building of 28 boats – a customised version of the well-known 420 dinghy, which is easy and fun to sail and maintain, and is affordable but robust.
Operators in each of the major sailing regions in the country (KZN, Northern Region, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape) will be allocated seven boats each (two teams of three with a spare in case of damage during tournaments).
The tournaments will be run over an afternoon with all boats being provided.
“The events will be held in venues that are visible to the public, providing entertainment for the competitors and their supporters,” said Hall.
For more information or getting involved in the SA Sailing TLS can contact: saswc@ sailing.org.za
KZN team: Lorraine Duggan-Jones, Cheyenne Maxine Naidoo, Nomkhosi Mbatha, Nicolene Henkeman, Sunita Henkeman, Mpilo Xhosa, Andrew Heathcote, Nhlanhla Phakathi, Rudi Fokkens, Dylan Albert, Tristan Uys, Jethro Brophy Tintinger, Reserves: Refeloa Zililo and Chad Stevenson.