SAILING MATTERS
by the Rear Commodore, Gregg Dobson

Dinghy Memorial Races - Saturday 13 Feb
A fleet of 25 Boats comprising of 8 Flying 15s, 9 Lasers and a collection of Xtras, Optimists, 420s, a Mirror, 505 and a Sail Africa Feva took part in three races held in the Bay on Saturday afternoon. A gusty, switchy 8 to 15 knot south-westerly breeze kept the crews occupied. The four older Flying 15s started with a 1 minute handicap over the newer ones making for a crowded weather mark rounding, with most of the fleet reaching it at the same time. Gregg Dobson/Julian pulled away on the first downwind leg to win comfortably from Pat Harris/Brennan Moore with Steve Hegerstrom/Ian Broadbent in third followed by Gregg Hurter/Melissa Wilkins.
The second Race was won by Patrick Harris followed by Steve Hegerstrom and in third place Jeremy Kriek/Shane Teekamp sailing ‘Fiddler', one of the older boats. The third race saw close racing between the first three boats, a spectacular gybe by Kriek and crew and a beautifully executed backward somersault during a gybe by Bob Dimond that left crew Clive Jackson all alone and wondering if it would be better to steer or fly the spinnaker. Bob was rescued with glasses and shoes intact by an eagle eyed rescue officer and re-united with a relieved Clive . The Lasers were convincingly won by Rudy McNeil with Richard Bate in second and Donald Boast following in third position.
Grateful thanks to Derek Wilkes and Graham Rose for laying true courses and ensuring slick starting procedures. Thanks also to John Sergel for rescue services performed.

Memorial Keeler Pursuit Race - Sunday 14 February
Twenty Two boats started the race in a soft 5 - 8 knot South-South-West'ly breeze. The race officer on-board the ‘dressed' committee boat "Crackerjack" gave each starting class a friendly countdown over the radio. Unfortunately the breeze dropped slightly, not really allowing for much separation between some of the classes. The fleet spread out with ‘On-Tap', ‘Legionaire' and ‘Chatur' opting for the inshore side of the course while ‘Caversham Caprice', ‘Cabriole' and ‘Tioman' choosing the offshore side.
The inshore side seemed to pay with the boats that played that side, rounding the turn mark set off the hypermarket first. ‘Caversham Caprice' who went the furthest offshore also scored to round in fifth place. The beat back to the finish saw ‘Cabriole' overtake ‘Legionaire' to take first with a fast finishing ‘Phezulu' coming in third.
Many thanks to Race Officer Hemraj Gokal and ‘Crackerjacks' owner Stuart Ritchie for officiating. Also thanks to Allan Fabian and Richard Potgieter for performing mark laying duties
‘Those that have passed are sorely missed, dearly loved and well remembered'.

RESULTS
Flying Fifteen
1 Hegerstrom
2 Harris
3 Dobson
4 Kriek
5 Yelland
6 Dimond
7 Hendrie

Lasers
1 McNeil
2 Bate
3 Boast
4 Walford
5 Watt
6 Moffat
7 Marshall
8 Bingham
9 Musgrove

Keelers
1 Cabriole
2 Legionaire
3 Phezulu
4 On Tap
5 FFoxxoFF
6 Container World
7 Tioman
8 Caversham Caprice
9 Majimoto
10 Cartoon Deckwork
11 Electron
12 Bandit
13 B2G2
14 Chatur
15 Fusion
16 Belissima
17 Aquilla
18 Jennabee
19 MiWay
20 Sway
21 Joie de Vie
22 Pinotage

A very big thank you to all our sponsors of the day:
KZN Catering; Image wear; Creative Events; Offshore Sailing Academy; Stuart Ritchie; Sails and Boating; Harken; Complete Yachting; Blue Army; Ultra Chemicals; SAPPI; Engen; The Party Hut; Gourmet Food Services; Radio Holland; Zacks - Wilson's; Café Fish; Spur - Casadena; Ingrid's Beauty Salon; RNYC; Distell; Brandhouse; Gailforce Yachting; Seaport Supply; Rob Bowman; 3663; Veri Dot; Ray & Triston Dickerson.

And a special thank you to all the ladies that worked so hard. Angel Mittlefehldt, Marion Langlois, Carol Ferguson, Sandy Samways, Penny Spiers & Gail Dickerson.

Let's enjoy our sport safely!
See you on the water.