2008-2009 Rankings updated
The ranking page has been updated to include Charity regatta and RTIR. Have a look under the Downloads section at your ranking and see where you measure up. If you want to start making plans on how to jump up in the rankings, now is the time to start. The WC Champs are coming up soon and plenty of people are looking for Crews/Skippers for the event. Guess where they look!
Calling all Western Cape 505 sailors - WC Champs training (2 events)
The MAC Offshore Points Regatta being held this weekend, 21st-22nd February, at Simonstown is the ideal opportunity for the Western Cape 505 sailors to start preparing themselves for the WC Champs in April. Click here for event information on the Dinghy points regatta, being held offshore for the first time. This is an initiative of MAC and is organised in conjunction with DAC, FBYC Izyvunguvungu and SAS. Please all WC 505 sailors lets see you on the water!
SASWC youth training clinic at Langebaan on 21 and 22 March.
Get on pace for the Western Cape Dinghy Champs! All 505 sailors are invited to join the Youth Sailors at this special training clinic designed to prepare Optimist sailors for their Selections Regatta, Lasers, 420s and Hobie 16s for their Youth Worlds selection regattas, 420 sailors for their Nationals and all dinghy sailors for the Western Cape Dinghy Champs.
International 505 Site - Have you visited it yet?
The International 505 website (http://www.int505.org/) has been updated to include Africa specific information. There is a category for events in Africa, which Peter Roos has started updating, and also a forum for discussions relevant to the fleets on the continent.
We urge all members to make use of it. We would like the international community to know that the RSA fleet is healthy, active, participating, and proud of their performances and achievements.
Does anyone want to volunteer for the local administrator role? If so please contact one of the Exco members on rsa505@rsa505.org.za
Regular 505 Training - WC Champs Preparation
Training program – Pre WC Champs - Gauteng region
Due to popular demand the Gauteng 505 sailors are holding several training sessions in preparation for the WC champs in Saldahna on 10-13 April 2009. The training sessions will be held regularly on a Saturday afternoon at PSC every two weeks starting next weekend i.e. 14th Feb 2009. All boats must be on the water by 13h00 sharp.
505 Duffin Trophy Video - To be released this weekend
A superb promotional video showing 505's sailing in the recent Duffin Trophy held in November at Sterkfontein Dam will be released this weekend at the PSC Charity Regatta.
The short video of ±4 minutes is set to very fitting music and shows scenes of all participants at the event.
The video footage was shot and edited by Enid Klaas and the 505 class wishes to thank her for her efforts.
Click here for the video or go to the gallery to see some of the photos of the action.
News
Hi All you 505 sailors.
Hope 2009 brings good winds to you all, there are some big waves developing out there. Just read the December issue of "Sailing", the article titled "Re-assessment of South Africa’s National Classes" by Roger Bartholomew / Len Davies / Roy Dunster / Rob M’Crystal.
Do you have any comments or suggestions?
International Website
The international website has been updated - take a look - http://www.int505.org
Vote at the AGM
Dear Members,
There have been some discrepancies with the vote at the nationals and this is your Exco's comment on it. Please note that revised dates and venue for the Nationals will be posted.
2008 Nationals report - Warwick Ham
505 Nationals - Henley Midmar Yacht Club
There were 4 father/son teams taking part in this year’s 505 nationals, (The Milln’s, Ham’s, Hogg’s, and Arthur’s) and a couple of potential family teams which we want to see on the water more often. (Holzhausen’s, Rogotzki’s, what about the Quarmby’s, the Holm’s and of course the Funke’s, just waiting for Thomas to return) There are also several youth teams and of course there is the Klaas family which suddenly seems to be quite dominant in the 505 class. What is their secret? Is it in the coffee or is it in the Jaffels?
Read more of my impressions of the racing near the middle of the fleet in the rest of the article below.
2008 505 Nationals report - Peter Funke
In his report on the 505 Nationals at HMYC Peter Funke concludes with one of the fundamental secrets of top performance.
"Nationals 2008 saw some great sailing and extreme competition with good close quarter racing at times. In a fleet of this nature it is very important to optimise boat handling skills. From my side the biggest challenge was to get my head outside the boat and to concentrate on the sailing and tactics at hand, especially with the conditions that we saw at Midmar this year."
Read the rest of Peter's report about racing near the sharp end of the fleet below.
