Reports
:: Funke Brothers win 505 Nationals in Mosselbay :: (187 Reads)
Posted by
warwick
on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 09:40 PM
Several youth members sailed in the event and enjoyed themselves in the fantastic conditions sailing a great boat. Ryan Pentolfe, Alex Ham, Henko Holtzhausen and Eddie Forster showed that they could adapt equally to light or stormy conditions. We need more of this youthful enthusiasm in the 505 class.
On the registration and measurement the wind was howling offshore making conditions very tricky near the slipway. Conditions during the regatta ranged from light wind and sunny skies on the first day to rain and squalls of over 20 knots on the last day. This venue boasts a rich sea life including whales, dolphins, seals and of course sharks in a beautiful bay with ideal sailing conditions. On Friday, sailing got underway in very shifty conditions and the racing in the fleet proved to be extremely close. On average the first 6 boats finished within one minute of each other and the slightest mistake could cost a number of positions. After three races sailed, the 2008 champions were leading the fleet with two 1st and one 4th place followed closely by Rudolph and Dietmar Holm, David Rae/Ryan Pentolfe, Steven du Toit /Hans Rogotzki and Peter/Thomas Funke.
The weather forecast for Saturday proved to be accurate with wind conditions being light. The wind changed direction during the first race and the race was shortened. The wind continued to shift and two more races were sailed. At the end day 2 the Funkes were leading the fleet followed closely by the Holms in second and Kyle Klaas and Robert von Gruenewaldt in third.
The final day of the championship dawned with lots of rain and a nice breeze. The heavier teams were looking forward to some trapezing weather while the lighter crews were hoping that the wind would not be too strong. Racing got underway just after 10h30 and three good races were completed. Again the competition in the fleet proved to be tough with the Holm’s and Rae/Pentolfe as well as the Willcox/Hutton Squire combinations alternating positions during the races. A highlight of the day was the Southern Right Whale and calf which surfaced at the top mark during the second race. Luckily they were off the racing line and were not bothered by the proximity of the fleet.
In the end Peter and Thomas Funke were crowned the 505 South African National Champions for 2009 with another family combination of Rudolph and Ferdinand Holm coming in second and David Rae / Ryan Pentolfe coming third.
The 505 class association would like to thank the team at Mosselbay Boat and Yacht Club for organising a successful event and making this one of the most tightly contested national championships in recent years.
Thomas Funke
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