Reports
:: Nationals 07 - Provisional results out :: (619 Reads)
Posted by
warwick
on Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 11:16 AM
The 505 nationals at Aeolians featured 17 boats, ideal sailing conditions and some of the most competitive racing seen in the 505 fleet for some time, with the lead changing constantly throughout each race. Especially encouraging was the number of new young faces seen for the first time in the 505 class.
Three provinces were represented, i.e. Western Cape, Natal, and Northvaal, and our thanks goes out to those who travelled up from the Cape and Natal to take part.
The official results are unfortunately not yet available as they are subject to a protest hearing which is to take place on Thursday 27th September. We will keep you informed as to the outcome.
Luckily this only influences the first two places so for the rest of us the provisional results are under the Results link.
The 505 Exco really pulled out the stops this year to increase the numbers attending the nationals and to raise the level of competition within the fleet while still catering for the family orientated sailor. Several late withdrawals meant we were unable to meet our goal of 20 boats in the nationals, but what we lacked in numbers we most certainly made up for in quality of competition.
For the first time an incentive was offered to sailors making the trip up from the Cape or Natal and it was great to see two boats each from Natal and the Cape Provinces. Let’s see those numbers increasing for next years 505 nationals, we know there are some very competitive sailors down at the coast.
Another surprise was the AGM, short, sharp and to the point. The minutes will be out from Thomas in the near future, as will the reports from the various committee members.
The website launch was well received by everyone, with a few questions and suggestions being offered. Thanks for your input.
We were really there for the racing, and the conditions were ideal with a breeze generally settling in during the late morning and slowly moving from SW to W and strengthening during the course of the afternoon. The race committee did a great job of setting a course which was as long as possible. This put the top mark near the western shore and made for some big wind shifts in this area. There were plenty of opportunities for making up places and the racing was mostly tight with the lead changing several times during each lap.
After the first days racing which ended with the sunset at 18h30 we had had 4 races, with three different winners. Hans and Alan won the honour of writing the regatta report after finishing third place in the first race. Well done guys, we can’t wait for your report.
The second day was predicted to have stronger winds and once the wind had settled in the racing started. Some over eagerness at the start meant that the “round the ends rule” was enforced and this seemed to calm things down a bit. During the day we saw several different boats in the lead only to lose it again through boat handling errors and the occasional freak gust which upset the apple cart, especially on the reaches.
The wind certainly felt stronger and many of the lighter crews had trouble holding their line on the tight reaches. The results after eight races had Thomas and Peter leading Graeme and Tiffany with Albrecht and Warwick lying in third, with the rest of the chasing fleet hot on their heels.
Predictions for Monday ranged from no wind to an impending cold front, and later during the morning the wind slowly started filling in. Several course changes later we eventually started what turned out to be the last race of the day, and what a race it was. The battle at the top of the fleet saw the leading 5 boats swapping positions constantly. The race was eventually won by Hans and Alan, with Albrecht and Warwick in second and Kyle and Robert on their heels.
The overall regatta results are provisional pending the final protest hearing and will be announced as soon as we have them, which should be towards the end of this week.
The class and all who sailed wish to thank Aeolians club, the kitchen ladies and bar tenders, the bridge officer and crew as well as the mark laying and rescue crews for their efforts over the long weekend. We really appreciate your time and dedication to the sport. Thank You.
Results Pictures
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