GEORGE NEWS - From 28 to 31 December 2024, George Lakes Yacht Club (GLYC) hosted the annual New Year’s Regatta and the GP14 Class National Championship.
With a total of 33 vessels competing, it was three spectacular days for both sailors and spectators alike. The first day began with light winds that gradually intensified, allowing for technical sailing and impressive maneuvers.
On the second and third days, the winds remained mild, punctuated by a few surprising gusts that tested the skills of both helmsmen and crew.
GALLERY: New Year's Regatta 2025 - George Lakes Yacht Club
Although strong winds were forecast for the final day, the weather shifted, and sailing concluded just in time before the wind decided to end the season.
A total of 10 races were completed in the Senior Category and GP14 Nationals, along with 9 races in the Junior Category.
Milan Nel (GLYC) Junior Laser 4.7 saluting the bridge.
This event enjoyed sponsorship from Sotheby’s International Realty George, for which GLYC is most grateful.
For the uninitiated, sailing conjures up elegantly dressed people sipping umbrella-adorned drinks.
In reality, it is exhilarating yet highly technical, requiring dexterity, agility, and the physical fitness to harness the wind and set your sails to their maximum.
The modern GP14s have three sails: a mainsail, an overlapping foresail called a Genoa, and a symmetrical spinnaker set on a pole. It is particularly technical, looking impressive when filled with wind, but it demands practice and good teamwork.
Regatta Seniors winner Georgio Divaris (right) with Mark Bennet the Race Organasiser and Rear Commodore of GLYC.Top performers
The New Year’s Regatta comprised all classes and vessels represented by four clubs and was divided into the Senior (Fast Fleet) and Junior (Slow fleet and junior fast fleet).
In the Senior Category, a firm first place went to Georgio Divaris (GLYC) on his Finn, second place to Robert Schlachter (Knysna Yacht Club) on a Laser and third place to Henry Paine (GLYC) - also on a Laser.
The top three places in the Junior Category amongst the three Optimist Class sailors were Owen Conradie (GLYC) first, second place Ruan Labuschagne (Redhouse Yacht Club) and third place Cameron Simpson (GLYC).
Regatta Optimist sailors: Ruan Labuschagne (second), Owen Conradie (first), Cameron Simpson (third).
The three 4.7 Laser sailors competing in the Junior Category ranked Mìlan Nel (GLYC) first, Dillon Wretham (Redhouse Yacht Club) second, and Lesley Rostek (GLYC) third.
The top three places in the GP14 Nationals senior’s category were:
Matthew de Villiers (Helm), Chris du Toit (Crew), Second place to Dudley Isaac (Helm) and Connor Williams (Crew) and third place to Alan Keen (Helm) and Louis de Kock (Crew).
The top Youth team in the GP14 fleet was JP Buys (Helm) and Daniel Kruger (Crew), both from GLYC. They finished in a very creditable fourth place, after mixing it with the other seniors during the racing.
GP14 Nationals Winners: Matthew de Villiers (Helm) and Chris du Toit (Crew) with Evelyn Osborne, Race Officer.
GLYC boasts a seventy-year legacy of yachting with families that have been members for generations. The club would like to thank the organisers and all the competing clubs who chose to spend the last days of 2024 on the water.
For more information on the Sailing school, contact Evelyn Osborne, 082 377 9217, 044 883 1128, e-mail evelyno@telkomsa.net
For more information on GLYC visit www.glyc.org.za or email glyc@glyc.org.za
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