Main Menu

Online

Hosted By

Local

 :: 505 class grows for the 3rd year in a row at WC Champs :: (477 Reads)

Posted by Thomas on Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 07:46 AM

The 2009 Western Cape championships saw a record 11 boat fleet compete for the title. There were many talented sailors at the event including the likes of Dave Hudson, David Rae, Paul Willcox, Rudolph Holm, Kyle Klaas, Nick Pratt and Peter Funke but to name a few. Racing was extremely close and the regatta was a huge success! The 2009 505 Western Cape championships got underway on the 10th of April 2009 with 11 boats entering the event. The 505 class has seen a steady growth in numbers over the past three years and with the amount of interest from all over, measures to get new boats into the country and to even build them locally are being discussed. Anyway, enough of the promo, lets get to the event.

Day 1 started in light to medium conditions with two races being sailed. Racing was extremely close with most of the fleet finishing within 4 minutes of each other. The current national champion, Kyle Klaas and Warwick Ham, dominated the fleet scoring two bullets followed closely by the Holms, Rudi and Ferdi, with Peter and Thomas Funke in third and Paul Willcox / Tony Norris and Mark Biagio / Scott Quarmby, alternating the 4th spot in the respective races. Dave Hudson and David Rae and Albreccht Holm and CJ Milln also had a good battle for 5th and 6th respectively. Newcomers to the class, Nick Pratt and Stuart Lawson showed the two Ballatyne teams the way around the course followed by the sailor who improved most throughout the regatta, Ruan de Hart.

Day two dawned with the prospect of heavy breeze but this was only to materialise a bit later. Race three got underway with Willcox/Norris leading the fleet around the course in light and switchy conditions. The Holms managed to hold on to second place followed closely by the Funke brothers in third. Albrecht Holm/ Milln managed to pull in, in 4th place followed closely by Klaas/Ham and the Hudson/Rae combination. Race 4 started and the breeze picked up throughout the course of the race which saw some of the boats capsizing but more importantly some high speed stuff once the weather mark was rounded. The Funke team managed to secure their first victory of the regatta followed closely by Willcox/Norris and Hudson/Rae. The Holms brothers finished in a good fourth place closely followed by Biagio/Quarmby in 5th. Racing was suspended for the rest of the day, much to everyone’s disappointment but then again, the best was still to come.

The weather report on day three predicted much of the same conditions as for the previous day so all of the crews readied themselves for some serious heavy weather sailing. On day three 5 races were sailed with 2 wins going to the Funke team while another two went to Willcox/Norris and one to the Holm brothers. The racing on day three was amazing with the top 5 boats chasing each other around the course throughout the day and positions varying and altering rapidly if mistakes were made. Unfortunately Hudson and Rae experienced some gear failure during a spinnaker reach and had to retire from the regatta while misfortune also plagued the national champion, Klaas/Ham. From the regatta one has learned that one can never be too prepared for 505 racing. Fittings, sheets and sails need to be checked and maintained / replaced at all times in order to keep MR MURPHY away.

The final day of the regatta saw three races being sailed and with the havoc of the previous day some of the teams could not make the start. Racing was again close with first positions being shared amongst the Funke’s, Holm/Milln and Holm/Holm respectively. Ruan de Hart showed some excellent progress beating Grant Ballantyne / Mike Robb in the last two races. This was the first time in 5 years, so well done Ruan!

The final results were as follows:

1. P Funke / T Funke (18 points)
2. R Holm / F Holm (20 points)
3. P Willcox / T Norris (37 points)
4. A Holm / C Milln (38 points)
5. K Klaas / W Ham (60 points)
6. N Pratt / S Lawson (63 points)
7. M Biagio / S Quarmby (75 points)
8. G Ballantyne / M Robb (77 points)
9. S Ballantyne / F Fitzsimons (81 points)
10. R de Hart / Crew (86 points)
11. D Hudson / D Rae (93 points)

All in all, the regatta was a huge success and we as the 505 class would like to thank SAS/ZVYC and all other parties involved for hosting a super event. Hopefully, we will be able to increase the 505 attendance at the event next year and in so doing make it one of the healthiest sailing classes in South Africa. I look forward to seeing you at the Northvaals on the 25th to 27th of April 2009, Aeolians, Vaaldam.

Thomas Funke
505 Exco Secretary

505 class grows for the 3rd year in a row at WC Champs | Log-in or register a new user account | 0 Comments

Threshold -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Display No comments Nested Flat Thread Order Oldest first Newest first Highest scores first

Comments are statements made by the person that posted them. They do not necessarily represent the opinions of the site editor.