GEORGE NEWS - For the second Sunday in a row the sailors of George Lakes Yacht Club were favoured with a brisk southeaster for the day's racing.

With a wind speed of fifteen knots and higher, with stronger gusts, it was a day for the heavy weather specialists. Three races were completed, with only three boats in the final race.

The first race had three Laser Radials, two Dabchicks, a Sonnet (Dave Jones) and a Fireball (Georgou Divaris and Ferdinand Holm) finishing. After a late start the Fireball soon overtook the rest of the fleet and extended well ahead. James Hellstrom, on a Laser Radial, was also able to finish well ahead, with the Dabchick of Matthew de Villiers next.

In race two the Fireball was also able to get well ahead, finishing seven minutes ahead. James Hellstrom was once again ahead on his Laser Radial, pursued by the similar craft of Malcolm Osborne.

James Vonk on a Tera Pro and Sean Vonk on an Optimist joined in, sailing the shorter junior course. James had no problems in the conditions and finished well ahead of Sean, who was delayed by a capsize.

After the second race, most sailors were exhausted and retired to the safety of the shore. Only three boats sailed the final race: the Fireball, the De Villiers Dabchick and the Tera Pro of James Vonk. Needless to say, Divaris and Holm were well ahead on corrected time to win this race.

The senior fleet was racing for the Kim Cup, donated by the late Gordon Rivas and named after his daughter. The first races for this trophy were sailed in November.

When scoring was completed after the last race, David Laing was announced the winner.

The junior fleet was competing for the Island Lake Trophy. There were four Optimists on the day, as well as the Tera Pro of James Vonk, but it was only Sean Vonk who was able to master the conditions. Kyle America, Thomas Lawa and Tristan Boshoff went out but soon found the wind too overpowering and had to be assisted back to shore. James Vonk won the Island Lake Trophy.

After the day's racing, a wake was held at the club in memory of past Commodore Gordon Rivas. The Kim Cup was presented to David Laing by Gordon's daughter, Kim Wallace.

For more information about GLYC, see its website, www.glyc.org.za.

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