The 230 entries are competing in 11 dinghy classes - Optimists A and B, XTerras, Mirrors, Laser 4.7 and Laser Radial, 420's, Hobies, 29's and Dabchicks. There are entries from all over South Africa and even five from Zimbabwe. Knysna Yacht Club and George Lakes Yacht Club are jointly hosting the championships, assisted by the Mossel Bay Club.
Saturday was given over to arriving, and Sunday to a warm-up race to allow those there for the first time to become accustomed to some of the finest dinghy sailing water in South Africa. Mother nature was handing out some lessons on Sunday, with strong winds of 18 to 20 knots (30+km/h) whipping up white horses on the vlei. To their credit, very few sailors capsized.
Races 1 to 4 were sailed on Monday, December 10 in over 20 knot winds with streaks of white water over Swartrvlei. Top Dabchick sailor Jason Gray described the conditions as strong, "every second or third wave came over the deck". Ten year girl old Robyn Hellstrom described it as "scary".
Cundell Peter Statt and Steve Nobry sailed a Mirror excellently, hoisting the spinnaker with precision at the weather mark, and scored a second, first, third and first, and even at their level Statt explained "Steve was out the boat, the spinnaker was under the boat, and we had to fight back". However, other Knysna sailors were denied this opportunity with Justin Stokers' dabchick almost sinking, and Wanga Mbabe's mast breaking. Knysna keelboat sailor Rob Clark was quick to repair Mbabe's mast and got it ready for the first race of the next day.
George Lakes Yacht Club was styling at the front of the fleet with Jonathan Rees leading the Laser 4.7 class with a stunning first, second and first. Backing up in second place was Nathan Page with a two seconds and a third. GLYC's James Hellstrom is staring in the RS Tera Pro class with three first and a second.
The largest class is the Optimist Class and young Georgeo Divaris of Sedgefield is not having it easy. Having aced the first two races, Divaris and fellow fleet leader Calvin Gibbs of Cape Town were the first at a mark drifting in the storm. Confusion followed for Divaris and Gibbs, and despite leading across the line, they were penalized for not sailing the correct course.
Racing continues until Friday, December 14.
Photo: Rob Clark
