GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - James Vonk won the Pro National Trophy at the 2018 RS Tera National Championships at the Swartvlei Lagoon last week.
The championships attracted 17 boats in the smaller sail Tera Sport category and ten in the Tera Pro category. Mossel Bay's Oliver Holden was in the lead in the Sport fleet on Thursday with 3 firsts and a 2nd place. He was ahead of Rhys Whitfield (Cape Town) and Sean Vonk of George. It was Sean's first regatta on a Tera.
His brother, James, won all four races in the Pro fleet.
James continued his dominance of the Pro fleet on Friday with another string of firsts. Whitfield took over the lead in the Sport fleet by being the consistent race winner, leaving it to Holden and Sean Vonk to fight for the minor placings.
Three final races were sailed on Saturday morning. Once again, James Vonk couldn't be toppled at the head of the Pro fleet. Whitfield had the regatta secured and permitted Holden and Vonk to take race wins.
Sean Vonk was placed third in the competition for the RS Tera Sport National Trophy, which was won by Rhys Whitfield.
The championships was also the final selection event for the Tera teams going to the next RS Tera World Championships, to be held in Weymouth, England. James Vonk was included in the Tera Pro team together with Cameron Hills and Jamie McGillivray.
Grateful thanks go to Pine Lake Marina, for providing its facilities and venue for the event. The RS Tera Class also wish to thank its many sponsors of prizes awarded: Chilloes Hartenbos, the Mossel Bay branches of McDonalds, Blitzdruk, Romans, Baruchs, Shell, Bricks for Africa, Dhamai Distributors and Absa (waterbottles and string bags) and also Quiver and Garden Route Sailing.
James Vonk (in front), on his Tera Pro, getting the best start during race one at the 2018 RS Tera National Championships at the Swartvlei Lagoon last week. Photos: Rob Holden
ARTICLE: MALCOLM OSBORNE
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