Harbour: Saturday 17 September
The Bashboard from the third Bart’s Bash has been tallied and Point Yacht Club featured prominently on the log with Rear Commodore for Dinghies, Myles White and his partner Jeremy Kriek registered as the top South African sailors.
Hailed as a resounding success, this year’s Bart’s Bash had 58 countries participating at 412 venues that hosted the world’s largest sailing event with 8,471 participating over the weekend. The Durban based yacht club ended in third position for overall participants behind the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and Chew Valley Lake Yacht Club.
Bart’s Bash hosted by the Point Yacht Club coincided with the opening of the club’s 125th anniversary summer sailing season. With 194 participants registered with 52 boats entered, Durban sailors featured well in the top 50. Leading the locals, White and Kriek placed 16th overall sailing on a Flying Fifteen, with Hobie sailor Peter Hall finishing one position behind them. Durban North’s Andrew Dolloway ended his efforts in 20th overall sailing on his trimaran, Ladybird.
White enthused, “I am extremely pleased with our result, both personally and from the clubs perspective! Having the highly accomplished Jeremy on board, helped tweak our speed and certainly our result. Conditions on the day were testing, to say the least. The wind shifted and dropped constantly. Not forgetting the pouring rain that did not dampen the spirits of the brave souls that joined us on the water! It was a fantastic opening, and promises to be a fabulous season further!”
The driving force behind Durban’s hosting of the event; La Lucia’s Struan Campbell rallied the troops and motivated the sailors to join him and be a part of the day. Campbell competed on his lightning quick Hobie Tiger with partner, Murray May. The duo blitzed their way around the course set in the Durban harbour, crossing the line in first place. On handicap the team ended off in 23rd position globally.
“We had fun; it was good to be out on the water, just really wet. Conditions were drenching and unpleasant but the turnout was incredible with over 40 boats heading out regardless. The wind was fairly light but just before the start a big gust and stormy rain cloud passed over making things a little interesting.” Campbell commented at the announcement of the Bashboard results.
“For the race itself things calmed down and we got off the line cleanly in first place. We led the fleet around the course and crossed the line still in first place. Cold and wet with smiles on our faces, we cruised around watching the remainder of the fleet finish. It was actually a great day on the water.” a pleased Campbell shared.
Glenwood’s Gregg Dobson finished 25th on his Laser while Hilton’s Luke Wagner sailed Flying Spaghetti Monster into 26th. Morningside’s Gregg Hurter glided his crew on Bellatrix into 31st. While Gavin Smith and friends took 41stplace on sailing on Zing and Laser sailor Denny Moffatt snuck in the top 50 with an impressive 48th place.
The next major event for the Point Yacht Club is the annual Jonsson Cup that takes place on Saturday 5 November, where White hopes for an impressive fleet of dinghies joining him in the bay.
For more info visit www.pyc.co.za or like the Facebook page.
