George schools win the interschools regatta

SAILING NEWS - George Lakes Yacht Club played host to the 2024 Eden District Inter-Schools Regatta, held at Island Lake over the weekend of 16 and 17 March.

With sails unfurled and spirits high, 29 high school boats and 14 primary school boats graced the waters.

Representing seven Mossel Bay and seven George schools in the high schools fleet, and four George and four Sedgefield schools in the primary schools fleet, the competition was fierce from the get-go.

The event would once again not be possible without the sponsorship of Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty (George), which contributed greatly to its success.

The first day saw a changing wind fading to nothing. The wind strength also varied during this process, producing challenging conditions from the participants.

The high school fleets completed four races and the primary schools three. On Sunday, the wind filled in from the south-east and increased in strength during the day.

This proved to be overwhelming for many, resulting in capsises and retirements. Two further races were set for both fleets, with just one boat finishing the second race in the primary schools fleet.

Daniel Kruger on ILCA 6 (York High) was first to finish in most of the races, also wining on the handicap system. It was only in the fifth race that the Topaz of Amyoli Elefu and Wandile Nkomo (Sao Bras) succeeded in getting line honours, ahead of Christiaan Cilliers (Point High). The handicap system gave the race win to Cilliers, ahead of the Topaz. Overall, Kruger was the individual winner in this fleet.

Consistent results in the top three gave second place overall to Cilliers. Behind, the leaders were chased by the York Dabchicks, sailed by Joshua Eichbauer and Tylor Locke, with Eichbauer getting third place overall.

The primary schools fleet was lead by three Optimists, with the O9ers following. In the lighter winds of Saturday, Cameron Simpson (Hoekwil Primary) won all three races, with Milan Nel (Optimist, Seabridge) getting the second spot.

On Sunday the fourth race was won by Anve-Kyle de Bruin (O9er – Pacaltsdorp Primary), with Leopold Kruger (Optimist, Seabridge). Only Nel was able to finish the last race, with Simpson crowned the overall winner in this fleet, ahead of Nel and Leopold Kruger.

The York High team was announced as the winner, ahead of the Mossel Bay schools Hillcrest High and Sao Bras. In the primary schools fleet, the winning school was Pacaltsdorp Primary with Seabridge second and Hoekwil third.

The team from Pacaltsdorp Primary School - winners of the primary schools division.