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Written by Roger
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Wednesday, 15 February 2012 10:17 |
Sonnet sailing at its best – MDM Services Nationals 2011
The MDM Services Sonnet Nationals 2011 proved to be a contest between the sailors and the elements once again. The event was held once again at Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club during the holiday period between Boxing day and New Year.
Twenty-one entries started the first race in a moderate SW breeze, 6 from Zeekoe Vlei YC, 5 from Zeekoe Vlei Sailing Centre, 5 from Imperial YC, 2 from Voelvlei YC, 2 from UCT YC and 1 from Point YC.
The Race Committee managed to get in four races before the decision was taken to return to the clubhouse, starting the regatta on a good note.
The racing was close with tight duels between the different crews. Stephen du Toit and Sarah Arnold showed that they were going to be difficult to beat with 3 first places and a second, whilst last years runner-up Alan Everett with new crew, Shadley Young, hung in with a first, a second, a fouth and a ninth. A great showing by Thomas and Anna vd Ploeg on the first day with a second, two thirds and a fifth meant that they were going to be in the running as well.
Day two started in a stiffening breeze with Stephen du Toit giving a “Master Class” training session prior to the days racing, helping all the sailors to get their boats on the water in a better tuned condition and with more knowledge on the do’s and don’ts of making the Sonnet perform better.
Only two races were sailed before the wind was taking a bit too much of a toll on the boats and crews and the fleet headed back to the clubhouse with Stephen and Sarah still in the lead, Thomas and Anna in second and James Stock and Eammon Jooste in third. Alan and Shadley had had a difficult day with a DSQ and a DNC.
The early finish to the day meant that the sponsored braai could be held early followed by the Sonnet Association AGM. At the AGM the committee reported back on the successful year and the green shoots of growth starting to show itself outside of the Western Cape. It was also decided to hold the Nationals in 2012 at Voelvlei Yacht Club after a great proposal was put forward by the members from Voelvlei. Stephen du Toit also updated those present on his progress on the fibreglass mould, which we plan to see producing boats before the end of the 2011/12 season.
Day three produced much the same conditions as day two with Stephen and Sarah showing all a clean pair of heels in both races, but this time Alan and Shadley were making a comeback from the disappointing results of the previous day with two seconds. Theo and Sonja Stock and George and Dylan Meyer each managed a third on the day.
On the final day it was decided to start earlier as the forecast was for stronger breeze in the afternoon and so three races were completed to finish the regatta with 11 races.
It was great to see such a variety of people sailing the regatta from Penny Alison, an Olympic competitor, to our ZVSC sailors who are rapidly improving year on year, to family combinations of Theo / Sonja Stock, George / Dylan Meyer, Roger / Murray Klein, Thomas / Anna vd Ploeg, Sean / Bev le Seuer, Keith / Genevieve Morris to junior crews from the Dabchick fleet Jeremy Foreman / Jacques Louw and Kevin Foreman / Luke Sher to student crews James Stock and “over 50” crew Craig Thirtle / Mark Sher. This really shows the versatility of the Sonnet and the broad appeal it has without becoming a handful when the breeze picks up a little.
The final results were :
1. Stephen du Toit and Sarah Arnold.
2. Alan Everett and Shadley Young
3. James Stock and Eammon Jooste.
First Junior was Jeremy Foreman and Jacques Louw and first family was Keith and Genevieve Morris.
A big thank you to the sponsors MDM Services for the prizes as well as Cristy’s Sports and Klein Constantia wines for their donations and prizes. We certainly were well looked after in this regard with practically the entire fleet receiving a prize.
A big thank you also to the race officer, Neil Armitage, and race committee and rescue crews, it was a job well done in some trying conditions.
We hope to see more boats at next years Nationals at Voelvlei, where we have been promised a fun filled regatta with a difference!
Any queries can be sent to
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or check the website www.sonnetsailing.co.za or on Sonnet Sailing group on Facebook.
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