GRAND SLAM WEEKEND AT MIDMAR
The weekend of January 21 and 22 saw almost 50 boats from clubs around KwaZulu-Natal take to the water in the SA Sailing Grand Slam hosted by Henley Midmar Yacht Club.
Hot days and light winds made sailing fairly challenging, but fun was had by all.
The fleet consisted of 16 Cats (mostly Darts), six Flying Fifteens, 13 Lasers, five keelers and seven Optimists.
Grant Beattie, Kim Phillips and Steve Hegerstrom took the first three places in the Cat fleet, with Campbell Alexander, Anthony McMillan and Myles White and crews leading the Flying Fifteens.
The winning keeler crews were led by Tony Cockerill, Thomas Funke and Warwick Despy. The youth were well represented in the Laser (ILCA) fleet with Aaron Ward winning the ILCA six and seven class, followed by Estian du Plooy and Tayghan Honicke, and Mathew Olsen, Antoinette Schreuder and Matthew MacPherson leading in the ILCA 4 fleet.
Siblings from Point Yacht Club, Josh, Taylor and Cailee Pretorius, took the first three places in the Optimists.
The 75th anniversary for South African Sailing in 2022 saw a number of events across the country to celebrate.
The Soling and Flying Fifteen Nationals were held at Midmar from December 16 to 18. Eleven races were held over the few days.
Seven Flying Fifteens participated with Patrick Harris and Jeremy Kriek winning the event, followed by Paul Changuion and Tim Duguid, and Campbell Alexander and Ralph Thomas coming in third.
There were six Soling teams and their event was won by John Watt and Ross McArthur, follwed by Derek Wilkes and Mark Flack, and Tony Cocerill and Kevin Kirkman.
On the same weekend Dave Claxton co-ordinated a group of ‘laidback cruisers’ with six boats overnighting on the dam.
The Inter Varsity regatta took place at Midmar during the first week in December – this was well attended with some serious sailing and partying enjoyed by all.
Meanwhile the HMYC youth headed up to the Vaal for the
Youth Nationals held from December 16 to 21 at Stilbaai Yacht Club. Sailing was tough with very light winds. KZN was well-represented with 20 youth from our province, from Durban, Richard’s Bay and the Midlands.
Youth compete in a variety of boats: Optimists, Dabchick and Lasers (ILCA Dinghies). According to Alan Keen, ILCA chairperson: “History has been made at the event. For the first time the ILCA Dinghy is the largest class at the event, by far.
“Usually the largest class has been the Optimist but due to a lot of hard work by committee members, many parents and others involved in the class, the ILCA Dinghy made up nearly 50% of all classes competing at the Youth Nationals. Nearly 50% of the ILCA fleets are young woman, which is also great for the class.”
HMYC was very proud of their sailors: Noah Clulow won the ILCA 4 (Laser 4.7) event with 16 boats competing. Fynn Clulow was placed seventh, Mathew Olsen 11th, Michaela Barrett 12th, Joshua Olsen 13th and Gianluca Cantarelli 14th, Matthew McPherson 16th.
The ILCA 6 (Laser Radial) event involved 24 sailors and HMYC was also well represented here: Conor Mcloughlin (ninth), Aaron Ward (13th), Thomas Street (18th), Daniela Cantarelli (21st).
HMYC is excited about hosting the next youth nationals in December 2023 at Midmar.
Two youth sail camps took place at Midmar with participants of between eight and 15 years-old. The camp from December 19 to 22 involved 18 learners, including nine entry level sailors, seven at level two, two at level three.
Eleven learners (nine at level one, two at level two) participated in the camp held from January 3 to 6. Sunny and rainy conditions meant that time on the water was alternated with land games.
The Twilight series is underway at Midmar with racing every Wednesday evening at 5pm – all welcome.
On Sunday, February 29 is the Rob Barker memorial race and on February 25, you can enter for the eight-hour endurance race on www.hmyc.org.za.
The next youth learn-to-sail camp is from March 28 to 31.