George Lakes juniors victorious

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Knysna Yacht Club hosted its annual inter-club regatta this past weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 20 and 21 January.

With a multitude of sailing craft partici-pating on the Knysna Lagoon, a light south-easterly wind prevailed on Saturday, but on Sunday it had changed to a brisk south-wester, producing more challenging conditions.

Four races were sailed on Saturday. On Sunday, the first race of the day was the traditional long-haul race, starting at the club, going out to a turning mark inside the Heads and returning to finish at the club. Thereafter, two more normal round-the-buoys races were held.

A total of 57 boats competed, with 10 in a catamaran fleet, 24 in a fast dinghy fleet and 23 in a junior dinghy fleet.

Of the latter fleet, no less than 19 boats were entered by Mossel Bay Sailing Club and three by George Lakes. All the catamarans were KYC boats. The majority of the fast fleet dinghies were KYC entries, with seven from George Lakes.

In the junior fleet, first place was won by Christian Gillias of Mossel Bay, sailing a Topper dinghy. George Lakes YC took the next two positions – the Optimists of Milan Nel (2nd) and Owen Conradie (3rd).

Aided by their third team member, Cameron Simpson, George Lakes Yacht Club were awarded the inter-club trophy for this fleet.

KYC took the podium in the fast fleet, with David Shilton being the winner on his Finn. Second place went to Georgou Divaris, also on a Finn. The team of Tim and Adam Jones took third place on a Sonnet.

With strength of numbers in the top places, Knysna YC also took the inter-club team prize for this fleet. GLYC's top sailor was David Laing, in eighth place.

In the catamaran fleet, the team of William and Lucinda Edwards (Hobie 16) were consistently in first place to win overall. The team of Blaine Dodds and Lauren van Halderen were close behind to get second overall, ahead of Richard Ayres and Luca Lutolf.

Knysna Yacht Club acknowledges its sponsor, Lombkor Brokers, for contributing to the success of the regatta.

RIGHT: The GLYC Junior team after receiving the trophy. In front, from left are: Milan Nel, Owen Conradie and Cameron Simpson. Back: GLYC Commodore David Laing and coach Evelyn Osborne.