Belated windfall for Durban Point Yacht Club
THE Durban Point Yacht Club team that participated in the 2013 Lipton Cup will be awarded South African sailing’s most prestigious award, after the original winners retired from the event following questions of the legality of their boat.
Richard Weddell, who skippered the Point Yacht Club’s entry and fellow crew member Struan Campbell said that while the team were thrilled with the accolade, it was “not quite the same as winning on the day” four years ago.
The yachts that sail the Lipton Cup represent clubs rather than individuals and have identical dimensions and weights, down to the crew, who have to weigh a combined 420kg.
On board with Weddell and Campbell in 2013 were Alec Lanham-Love, Rudy McNeill and Byron Watt.
“We toasted one another, sitting around a campfire at Midmar Dam last month when we went up for the Nine-Hour Regatta,” said Campbell. “Our names will be on that trophy.”
Point Yacht Club’s crew members’ names will replace those of False Bay Yacht Yacht Club on the trophy, which is scheduled to arrive at the former in time for a function next month.
“We had put a lot of time into preparing for the Lipton Cup, including seeing sports psychologists,” said Weddell.
Campbell said that he had to lose 10kg in the space of a month in order to compete in the regatta four years ago.
Vernon Goss, manager and honorary president of the Point Yacht Club, said it was delighted with the news, and hoped to win the trophy outright next time.