Benji Daniel And Alex Burger Announced As ‘SAS Sailor Of The Year’

Point Yacht Club
Benji Daniel is announced as SAS Sailor of the year
Germiston: February
Point Yacht Club’s very own Benji Daniel, and his sailing partner Alex Burger have yet another notch on their sailing belt, being crowned 2017 South African Sailors of the year at the South African Sailing awards evening, held at Victoria Lake Club in Germiston recently.
Durban’s young sailing prodigy helmed his way to the 29er World Championships gold medal with Burger last August in California. The pair also made their mark with a podium finish in the USA National Championships. Both events had a fleet of over 100 boats competing.
Leading the way, the pair were awarded the Owen Aisher Trophy, being recognised for their phenomenal sailing achievement.
Daniel followed his success in the 29er World Champs with an appearance at the 47th Youth World Championship in Sanya China, where he competed in the 420 class with the promising talent of Rivaldo Arendse from Cape Town.
The pair finished 22nd overall, scoring a top place of 13th in the fourth race. Out of the nine races, they logged six results in the teens, with a 23rd and two 24th places, one of which was their discard.
Daniel, who is now in Matric at Thomas More College, is putting his studies first but still aims to race in a number of big events this year. He has been training with the high performance team at Race Ahead down in Cape Town, and is being coached by former Olympian Roger Hudson.
Daniel and Burger shared the stage with Calvin Gibb who was awarded the David Butler Trophy for the SA Youth Sailor of the Year. Hylton Hale who won the Burnwood Trophy for the most meritorious ocean race or passage sailed for his Cape 2 Rio race on Lion of African Vulcan, the first South African boat to finish the epic race, and long time sailor, Rob Wilcox was recognised for all his efforts over the years to the sport with the Stan Jeffrey Trophy for outstanding administration in the sport.
The next event for the Point Yacht Club is the offshore sprint race, Jonesy Sprints for the keelboats next week Sunday (4 March) and then the third race day of the Holburn Class Champs on Saturday 15 March.
On Sunday 11 March, sailor Clynton Fyn is organising a fun, social cryptic clue challenge in the bay for paddlers, stand up paddlers, ski boaters and sailors alike. The event Clued In will have participants chasing around the bay from clue to clue in the hopes of solving them all. Fabulous prizes are up for grabs.
For more info visit www.pyc.co.za or like the club’s Facebook page.

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