PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS – The Hobie 16 Nationals regatta provided one of the closest finishes in years when sail No 101 from Knysna Yacht Club "stole" first place from sail No 91108 from Royal Cape Yacht Club in the last race.

Both boats ended up on 25 points net, but it was world-class skipper and many times national winner William Edwards and his wife Lucinda, who won the national regatta on a count-out.

The win came "at the death", said Edwards, who is from Plett, about his triumph over another world-class yachtsman, Shaun Ferry, and his crew member Alison Ball.

'It was fantastic'

Ferry had led the race by four points going into the last race. "It was one of the closest races we have had in many years," said race manager Andrew Finn. "It was fantastic."

Eventual winner sail No 101 caught the eye among a colourful display of boats during the last race. Photo: Anton Muller

Edwards said the two boats were neck-and-neck going into the last leg. "It was a matter of splitting tacks. I was lucky and took the right tack."

All present agreed that Plett as a venue was world class.

Good sportmanship

Everything was outstanding, which added to the cumulative success of the regatta: the organisation, the participants (from all over South Africa) - and the good yachtsmanship and sportmanship.

Sail No 101 with William Edwards and his wife Lucinda took the honours 'at the death'.

The regatta had a family feel to it as well.

Edwards and his wife were beaten in a few races by his daughter Pippy and her skipper brother Doug. The siblings ended 4th.

Father and daughter

Another family affair saw Plett locals Blaine Dodds and his daughter Roxanne, aboard sail No 8008, ending sixth, performing short of their best.

In all 34 boats participated. The only disappointment came on Sunday, with no racing because of high winds.

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