Entries continue to roll in - and it looks as if we are going to have an exceptionally high quality fleet competing in this years race.

But, for those who have not yet entered, entries close on Monday 7 July - that´s TWO WEEKS away - so fill in that form and submit it otherwise you´ll have to pay the late entry fee.

Confirmed Entries to Date:
1 Crocs Simonis 42 (mod) Nicholas Mace/Patrick Holloway
2 Phezulu Fast 42 Leo Kroone
3 Bellissimo Hanse 401 Vernon Goss
4 Leyna Elan 435 Solly Heyns
5 Shanen (cat) Prout 38 Wendy Venter
6 Tenacity Fast 42 Errol Stern
7 Alacrity Taylor 36 David Taylor
8 Pants on Fire J105 Dwayne Assis
9 Addis in Cape Archambault 35 Alexandre Monat
10 Foxy Lady RCOD Chris Sutton

Verbal Indication of Entries to come:
Keith Stewart RCOD
Nigel Miln Skitzo
Rob Bowman/Wim van der Loo Elan
Sunsail Chris Bonnet/Luke Wagner
Tony Cunningham Moquini 2
Dave Elcock Simonis 35
Crackerjack Stuart Ritchie
Unzipped Ellian Perch
Ballyhoo Too Iain Park Ross
Kimaya Gavin van der Merwe
Born Free Francois van Dyk

Since our last newsletter we have Errol Stern from Cape Town entered his Fast 42. `Tenacity´ is a well campaigned boat, and she is not coming for the prawns alone! Dale Kushner and Andrew Edwards are part of the crew.

Dave Taylor of Richards Bay has entered his 36-footer `Alacrity´. Dave is no stranger to the race either.

`Pants on Fire´ did the race last year and showed a quick turn of speed at times. She has a `hot´ crew of Paul Thompson (Skipper): Dwayne Assis; Jorge Assis; Trevor Hulliman; Trevor Donald and James Keir, and these guys are there for the silverware this time.

`Addis in Cape´ is a French designed and built 35-footer which I am told is well sailed - and fast under her owner and skipper Alexandre Monat. She rates well under IRC and although I know little about her, I am told that we should not write her off. You have been warned.

Chris Sutton is one of the more committed Durban sailors around, and is taking the race seriously aboard `Foxy Lady´. RCODs have an envious record in this race, especially if it´s a downwind slide. But, anyone who sails an RCOD along our coast is `hardened´ and totally committed.

I´m told the race entry record for the race from Maputo to Durban is 24 - and with 21 boats listed above a new record may well be on the horizon? BUT THAT WILL ONLY HAPPEN IF WE RECEIVE YOUR ENTRIES!

Pics & Crew Info
Please would all entrants let me have a good action pic of their boat, and info on the crew and campaign in general as this will be placed on the website.

Well my last newsletter solicited the response I was hoping for as it lit a fire under those lethargic `vaalies´ who are hibernating as winter sets in. Gavin van der Merwe from the Fast 42 was quick to respond with the following:

"Kimaya is being prepared for the race. We have essentially assembled our crew consisting of some old salts, rock stars and handsome young punks. (The crew can select which category they prefer to fit into) Many of the crew is Joburg based. What is great about our crew is we have some excellent regular sailors; a relative newcomer, some part-timers and we are bringing some sailors out of retirement. An eclectic, but competitive bunch that may surprise our competitors by their passion and commitment. Our goal is we collect some silverware and as important, at the end of the race, a firm commitment from the motley crew to do it again next year. We too will sail under the RNYC burgee."

And hot on his transom came news from Solly Heyns who has entered Leyna (Elan 430). Solly has indicated that he is serious about taking some silverware home too - so keep an eye open for him - an old hand on the race.

And then came Vernon Goss´ and Bellissimo a Hanse 401. Craig Millar of Clipper Race fame will be the skipper, with Gavin Smith backing him up.

And earlier today Iain Park-Ross e-mailed to say that he was entering Ballyhoo Too a modified Mumm 36. Iain has a number of Vasco races between Durban and East London under his belt, with a few wins too, so he´s no slouch out there and will be wanting to add a Maputo to Durban title to his already impressive sailing CV.

Things are fast hotting up, with some quality entries.

See the Confirmed Entries page for an up to date list

I´m told the race entry record for the race from Maputo to Durban is 24 - and with 21 boats listed above a new record may well be on the horizon?

SO COME ON - LET THOSE ENTRIES ROLL IN, and those who are not mentioned here, PLEASE make contact.

Shipping
Matthew Thomas (082 093 2955) has kindly given of his time to assist with shipping from Cape Town. He is dealing with MACS and is arranging a good rate for yachts wanting to ship for the regatta. If you have any intention of entering, please give him a call as he does need to start finalising numbers, shipping dates and also the many other details which go into shipping boats along our coast. Or, let me know your details and I will pass them on to Matthew.

IRC
Please note that if you are requiring an IRC rating or a revalidation, please contact Donald ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) at SAS KZN who will give you all the details and costs.

Photos and video from past events...

• mcel Vasco da Gama 2007 - photos
• Retractaline Vasco da Gama 2002 - photos
• Retractaline Vasco da Gama 2001 - photos

Retractaline Vasco da Gama 2002 - video

Entries
Since Nicholas Mace entered `Crocs´- and he was the FIRST entry - we have not received another one. But, there is a buzz out there and loads of interest, so expect a good fleet.  However Leo Kroone of `Phezulu´ (Fast 42) did make contact to say that he is defiantly entering this years Vasco. "We are training hard and going for a win" he said.

So now we need all the other Fast 42s from around the country to enter as well. How about it Ankie? And the word is out that `Unzipped´ a Pacer 42 will also be on the start line.

Plus, there will be a cat on the start line with the crew vowing to be the first cat to finish the race from Maputo to Durban!

The good news is that none of the owners of boats mentioned in previous newsletters have contacted me to say they will not be entering - which is good news indeed. In fact, some others have come to light with a possible two further entries from Richards Bay joining Don Voysey and `Zeus´.

Shipping
Matthew Thomas is arranging shipping from Cape Town for three boats, but if there are any other Capetonians thinking of entering, please either make contact with me, or directly with Matthew.

Mahante Trophy
Jorge Campos of Clube Naval has informed me that we will be sailing for the Mahante Trophy on Wednesday 30 July. This will be contested over two short races in the channel in front of Clube Naval. On Wednesday evening Jorge and his team are planning a lavish prize giving and farewell to the fleet. These guys at Clube Naval know how to lay on a good spread - so expect it to be very special.

Accommodation at the Polana
As those who have done the race previously will tell you, the accommodation deal at the Polana Serena Hotel is something special - and has been
arranged again by Sandy Ostendorf.

The deal, which is per night per room, on a B&B basis and inclusive of all government taxes is as follows:

• USD140.00 single occupancy
• USD160.00 double occupancy

Bookings must be done personally with Vicente Simango who must be informed at the time of booking that you are competing in the mcel Vasco da
Gama Race. His e-mail address is: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   For anyone wanting to stay there I suggest you book early.

Sandy will gladly assist you should you require this. Contact her on 031-301 3078 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Safety
There has been a query regarding the issue of two people holding a certificate of competence on each boat. The intention of the Race Committee is that unless a skipper holds a SAS Yachtmaster certificate of competence, then two people on board must have SAS Coastal Skipper certificates of competence. I hope this clarifies the point? And while on Safety issues, John Lupton-Smith has agreed to assist in Maputo as a Safety Officer to scrutineer boats. Welcome aboard John.

General
Please keep in touch with your news and please don´t forget to enter timeously and revalidate your IRC certificates.

Regards
Richard Crockett
Chairman Organising Committee

Notice is hereby given of the National Interclub Challenge Regatta Incorporating: National Interclub Keelboat Challenge National Interclub Sport boat Challenge Flying Fifteen KZN Provincials East Coast Experience No 4 to be held on 14 - 15 - 16 June 2008 and hosted and organised by the Royal Natal Yacht Club

The regatta will include Sportboats and Flying Fifteen round the bouy (RTB) racing, IRC RTB racing (for boats with a TCC of 1.015 and above),IRC long distance racing (60NM), as well as PHRF and IRC (TCC below 1.015) distance racing in the form of the "East Coast Experience" No 4 of 2008.

Yacht clubs are invited to enter teams consisting of 1 SportBoat (Melges 24, Pacer 27, Hickman, JS9000 etc. etc) as well as one "Big Boat" with an IRC TCC of 1.015 and above to compete in a National Interclub Challenge.

The Flying Fifteen and East coast Experience No 4 will be held as seperate events "within an event".

The Schedule of racing is to be as follows:

• Race 1 (RTB) Sat14th June 11h55
• Race 2 (RTB) Sat 14th June after race 1
• Race 3 (RTB) Sat 14th June after race 2
• Race 1 (RTB and 60NM Distance Race) Sun 15th June 10h55  -  (Distance race for IRC Class 1 and East Coast Experience entrants)
• Race 2 (RTB) Sun 15th June after race 1
• Race 3 (RTB) Sun 15th June after race 2
• Race 1 (RTB) Mon 16th June 10h55
• Race 2 (RTB) Mon 16th June after race 1

Download the event documents here:

 National Interclub Challenge - Notice of Regatta
 National Interclub Challenge - Sailing Instructions
 National Interclub Challenge - Entry Form
 National Interclub Challenge - Flying Fifteen Provincial Sanction
 National Interclub Challenge - Appendix A Courses
 National Interclub Challenge - Indemnity Form

On behalf of the Commodore, committees and members of the Point Yacht Club, I extend a warm invitation to all sailors in South Africa to join us offshore Durban from the Saturday 28th June 2008 till Friday 4th July 2008 for the MSC Regatta 2008.

The regatta is again sponsored by Mediterranean Shipping Company and a big vote of thanks goes to Captain Salvatore Sarno. They have also sponsored the shipping of boats to and from the regatta. Through the efforts of MSC, Transnet have agreed to waive all terminal and handling charges at all ports. A VERY BIG THANKYOU TO MSC and TRANSNET.

The MSC Regatta 2008 plays host to the L26 National Championships and the IRC Class KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Championships. Depending on entries, the IRC will possibly be split into Class 1 IRC, Class 2 IRC and Sport Boat IRC. All other keelboats and micro-multihull boats are invited to join in the FUN in the SUN.

Other classes such as the Stadt 23, J22 & Hunter who have five entries or more will be accorded Regatta Championship status. All other keelboats, not making class, will fall into a PHRF class which may then be split according to size, type of boat and relative speeds.

Registration will commence on Saturday 28th June 2008. The traditional sail past is scheduled for Sunday 29th June 2008 and will be followed by a tune-up race. The championships proper commence on Monday 30th June 2008 with 10 races scheduled until Friday 4th July 2008. Racing will take place either on Windward / leeward or Olympic triangle courses, offshore Durban.

A full social program is planned with a Welcoming function on Sunday 29th, prize giving on Friday the 4th July and a whole host of fun for everybody in between. For more information, please contact the Regatta Secretary on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

I look forward to meeting you for a week of Fun in the Sun.

Jimmy Melville
Chairman - Organising Committee

 MSC Week 2008 - Notice of Regatta
 MSC Week 2008 - entry Form

Friday night the theme is German and the menu is Beef Roulade. Dine & Dance with Barry Gatling Live.

Sunday Mothers Day. Spoil Mum with our Special Carvery & free glass of Sparkling wine.

For those of you who have been wondering about the retraction and nomination of a substitute acting Rear Commodore there was nothing sinister about the change in fact I had written the bulletin on the Sunday evening in anticipation of a decision at Monday evenings meeting. As circumstances panned out Rob Samways left the meeting early and the committee was unable to confirm my original nomination without his approval so we decided on Warren Clark and I forgot to change my bulletin before publication. If any offence was taken, my apologies.

By all reports the first of the three 150th Anniversary Regattas to be held by the Club was a great success. Rob Bell our race officer was able to set out good racing over the three days, with some nail biting concerns about the weather, and whether it would behave, but as things turned out everybody played their part and a successful Regatta was held. A special vote of thanks to Gail Dickerson and her girls who managed to extract some fantastic prizes from her sponsors. A special word of thanks also to our Major Sponsor SAB who made the "happy hour" sessions such a success.

It was very encouraging for those of us who motivated the support of Sail Africa to see three L26s all sailed by students of Sail Africa competing together with Craig Millar waving anxious farewells every morning as they set sail for the first time offshore. All three teams acquitted themselves very well over the three days and had some very keen competition amongst themselves. For the first time in many months it was a pleasure to see young people on the podium receiving prizes. Well done Sail Africa and may you go from strength to strength.

For the record congratulations to Gavin Smith on Donna Mia for winning Division A and to Ron Pett and his young men on Container World for winning Division B. The first Sail Africa L26 overall was Bournemouth. In the Hobies Wayne Smith walked away with the prizes.

After all the dreamy sunrises and sunset cruises, for some of us, it's back to the serious stuff of working for a living and at the end of the coming week we host the first half of a Dinghy mini regatta on the Saturday 10th with the second half on Saturday 23rd May. Unfortunately the second half clashes with the Laser Masters but nevertheless I expect the Flying Fifteens will show up.

Summer has gone.
But remember
Keep sailing
Rear Commodore

The ECE 2 was run and despite the last finisher experiencing a 40 knot blast from the SW when entering the port, all went well. The course was shortened to half distance in anticipation of some interesting weather conditions. Most sailors made it back to Charlies at at reasonable hour and were comforted to see that Jack was on hand to dispense of a few beverages.

Results Division 1:

Results Division 2:

Family award - Take Care.

Bravery award - Lynette for sailing on Bandit.

It was great to see Vernon Goss enter his beautiful new pride and joy,Bellisima.

Notes for the next event: Please ensure that you monitor channel 16 at all times in order to receive any safety messages that are transmitted.

Please find below the documentation for the East Coast Experience 3. This will also be posted on the PYC's Notice Board.

Please note that 'mark' positions are not the same as for previous events.

Please submit entries to Pat at the Club's Reception.Email entries can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 ECE3 Notice of Race
 ECE3 Sailing Instructions
 ECE3 Entry Form
 ECE3 Indemnity Form

Regards

Chris Sutton
for and on behalf of the PYC

Click on read more for some pictures taken aboard "Pants on Fire"