GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Sunday had perfect sailing conditions for racing at George Lakes Yacht Club on Island Lake, Wilderness. A southeaster, with wind speed varying between 12 and 15 knots, prevailed and the full schedule of three races could be completed.
The fleet of four Optimists sailed for the season long Junior Championships Series and the ten boats in the senior fleet sailed the first set of races for the Chris Thomas Trophy.
The Optimists only sailed two of the races, but they coped very well with the increased wind speed. Kyle America dominated once again, winning both races, followed by Thomas Lawa in both. Tristan Boshoff is improving, getting third places and close behind Thomas. Somalezi Mavi got the fourth places.
The senior fleet had the Fireball of David Laing and Chris du Toit out in front, enjoying the conditions allowing for good use of trapeze and spinnaker. In race one they extended a lead of three minutes ahead of the rest. Behind, the Laser of Henry Paine was first to the first mark, followed by the Dabchick of Matthew de Villiers and the Lasers of Georgou Divaris, Malcolm Osborne, Charles Norman and Tony Bowen. Divaris proceeded to take the lead in this group from Paine and Osborne.
The wind was a bit fresher in the second race, allowing the Fireball to extend a bigger lead, but Divaris was able to extend a big lead ahead of the other Lasers.
Taking advantage of a poor start by the others, Osborne was able to take a lead ahead of Paine, who closed the gap near the end of the race.
Race three had a reduced number on the starting line but the racing was close from the start. The Lasers of Jonathan Rees, Paine, Osborne and Divaris going up the first beat together, with Divaris getting to the first mark just ahead, followed by Paine, Osborne and Rees in close succession.
Divaris once again extend a 2 minute lead ahead of Paine. Osborne was the third Laser for most of the race, before being passed by Rees near the end. Meanwhile, the Laing//Du Toit Fireball was only able to finish two minutes ahead of the first Laser.
Scoring the racing on boat handicaps, Georgou Divaris was the winner of all three races. Matthew de Villiers lies second overall ahead of Henry Paine.
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