Highvelds 2009 - This weekend at PSC!
Highvelds 09 is upon us! Time to dust off your boat and get moving if you have not already been out to test the water. (it's freezing - you will need your wetsuit!)
Quick summary for those who do not want to download and read the NOR ;-) 8-10th Aug, at PSC, Registration from 09h00 on Sat 8th. Entry is R120, for 3 days racing!
Several people have been training through the winter and others suddently jumped out of bed in the last weeks to realise that winter is on it's way out and they need to do some sailing.
The weather forecast looks favourable and there are reports of a small cold front coming in on Friday, just in time to provide some wind.
Anyone interested in training this weekend at Richards Bay?
One or two boats are interested in some offshore training at Richards Bay this coming weekend. Training structure to be discussed on the beach, just make sure you get there and be rigged by 09h30 Saturday morning 1st August. We will finish on Sunday afternoon around lunch time.
Bring your good humour with and some petrol money for the rescue boat. For safety you will be expected to stick with the group, have a cellphone with you and have at least 1.5l of fresh water on board. Lifejackets are compulsory of course.
2009 Season End Dinner - Top 10 crowned
The 505 class held their 2008-09 season end dinner at PSC on Saturday 20th June to celebrate and thank those volunteers who have helped the 505 class in particular over the past number of years. We were overwhelmed by the good turnout and were able to provide an excellent meal, wine and pudding to a total of 54 people, including several dignitaries.
Our thanks go to the volunteers who help on a regular basis with the running of 505 events at various clubs throughout the country, especially those involved in the sometimes difficult task of providing bridge and rescue for a competitive and not always appreciative fleet of sailors. We also took the opportunity to thank our wives, partners, girlfriends and in some cases parents for their support and involvement in our sporting activities.
The event, which was MC’d by a decidedly croaking Mark Biagio was also aimed at thanking those who had sponsored particular events or prizes for national or provincial events.
How do we get new boats into the country?
The 505 class executive aims to build the class nationally. (i.e. in more than 2 provinces in South Africa) Remember we are aiming to build the class with quality, active boats. At this stage we are not necessarily looking for world championship winning boats, although this should be an important aspect of our ultimate aim.
The three initiatives coming out of discussions between active sailors are:
1. Building hulls locally.
2. Importing a container load of 2nd hand boats.
3. Importing new boats.
BP trophy - NO WIND
This year's BP Trophy was sailed at Aeolians Club. 10 505's attended the event and it was a pity that the tight racing did not materialise into a result.
Strong 505 turnout at Northvaal Championships
13 top teams contested this year’s 505 Northvaal championships at Aeolians on the Vaaldam. Many of the teams are already gearing up for the World championships in Denmark next year and see these big regattas as perfect early preparation for their campaigns. The regatta was well run with 9 solid races in all conditions, testing crews and equipment to the max.
2009 Northvaals results and photos available
The 2009 505 Northvaals held at Aeolians this last weekend were a resounding success. 13 boats entered the event and wind conditions were ideal for the 505 at between 15 and 20 knots from the NW.
Thomas and Peter Funke became the Northvaal provincial champions in convincing style, and at times competition was tough at the top of the fleet. The full results can be seen in the results section and a selection of photographs courtesy of I.Willcox, J d'Engle and E.Klaas are in the photo gallery.
505 class grows for the 3rd year in a row at WC Champs
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!
Thanks George
How saddened I was to read of the passing of George Duffin.
When I took over the class presidency in 2000 he gave me some advice: He said "If you want the class to grow it has to be prepared to travel." At the time we were standing on the porch outside the club house at Midmar. Boy did we travel since then.
Thanks George, I will pass it on. Your legacy lives.
Tony Murray
Ex 505 Class President
George Duffin - Obituary
It is with great sadness that the 505 class heard of the passing of George Duffin, during the night of Monday 13th April 2009 in his sleep. George was one of the founding members of the 505 class in South Africa in 1964, after immigrating to South Africa from Zimbabwe. The Class executive and all class members in the country join in expressing our condolences to his family.
