Thursday 27 April and Saturday 17 June
There is a steady interest for the two major blue water events hosted by the Point Yacht Club in their 125th birthday year, with entries ticking over for both the Vasco da Gama and the Mauritius to Durban ocean races.
The first of the two Indian Ocean races starts in Durban on Thursday 27 April and the revival of the Mauritius to Durban Race starts just offshore of Port Louis in Mauritius on Saturday 17 June.
Six entries have been received so far for the Vasco dash from Durban down to Port Elizabeth, with Herbert Karolius entering his yacht Rocket this week, shortly after the fifth entry was received by the yacht club’s very own Commodore, Craig Millar taking part on his yacht Argo fy.
They join an impressive line-up for the 400 Nautical Mile race to the Eastern Cape. Defending champion, Al Mount Gay Rum captained by Rob van Rooyen was the first to put their entry in in the hopes of claiming their third consecutive title, followed by husband and wife team, Tony and Sigi Bailes on Nemisis. John Tudehope competing on Wallbanger was the third entry followed by Bernard Farmer sailing on DAG Shadowfax.
Both Millar and Karolius have also signed their entry forms for the trade wind race, the seventh Mauritius to Durban race. The only international yacht race to finish in home waters now has three entries with former Royal Cape Yacht Club’s Commodore, Dale Kushner confirming his entry on his yacht YOLO.
Karolius is no stranger to ocean racing, given the opportunity, the sailor competes in any offshore race he can. The keen skipper has competed in the last two Vasco races finishing fourth last year on handicap. This will be his third consecutive Vasco, followed by the Mauritius to Durban race. With a crew of eight onboard, the Simonis 54 will be well sailed, with the emphasis being two-fold – serious fun coupled with serious sailing.
Round the World sailor, Millar is eager to get back out on the open water, and is looking forward to the upcoming races. Having just refitted his yacht, Argo fy, the worldly-wise skipper was so enthusiastic about the race that he insisted he was the first entry for the 1,690 nautical mile Mauritius race.
“He’s completely upbeat about the race, and taking it seriously enough to be sailing his own boat across to the start in Port Louis. ARGO fy is a Jarkan Lyons 38, a new boat to Millar which recently underwent a complete refit. He wants to get to know the boat and its sailing characteristics better on the passage to Mauritius, prior to racing it home” said Richard Crockett, Organising Chairman for both sailing events.
Kushner, no stranger to crossing oceans, participated in the 2014 Cape2Rio race and was an entry for the 2015 Vasco da Gama but unfortunately had to withdraw prior to the start. YOLO took handicap honours in the second division of the 2014 Cape2Rio, and in the 2011 race, Kushner came third on handicap in the first division on the yacht Xtra-Link. A strong contender on the line, the rest of the fleet will be keeping an eye him.
Entries for the Vasco da Gama Race – Thursday 27 April start
1 Rob van Rooyen Al Mount Gay Rum
2 Tony and Sigi Bailes Nemisis
3 John Tudehope Wallbanger
4 Bernard Farmer DARG Shadowfax
5 Craig Millar Argo fy
6 Herbert Karolius Rocket
Entries for the Mauritius to Durban Race – Saturday 17 June start
1 Craig Millar Argo fy
2 Herbert Karolius Rocket
3 Dale Kushner YOLO
For more info visit www.pyc.co.za or like the both race’s Facebook page.
