GEORGE SAILING NEWS - The first races for the Kim Cup were sailed on Sunday in cool, overcast conditions at the George Lakes Yacht Club. All three scheduled races could be completed.
In the first race the Fireball of David Laing and Anthony Alant and the Laser of Malcolm Osborne arrived at the first mark together.
The Fireball was then able to extend a lead ahead of the rest of the fleet. Chris Kennedy, returning home after a few months in Europe, was in second place amongst the Lasers.
Henry Paine overcame a bad start to closely trail the leading pair. At the end of the second leg Paine took the lead, with Osborne falling back to third. Paine held his lead to the finish line, but Kennedy and Osborne had a close battle up the final leg to the finish with Osborne crossing the line just three seconds ahead.
In race two the Fireball was able to establish a big lead ahead of the rest of the fleet to win this race on handicap. The Dart was not able to stay with the Fireball and could only finish just ahead of the Lasers. Henry Paine established an early lead, which he was able to hold to the finish.
The Holm Sonnet was second behind Paine around the first triangle, with the Lasers of Osborne and Lammers close behind. The Sonnet fell back when the wind went light for a while, permitting the Lasers to get ahead.
In the light fluky winds of race three the Laing Fireball was able to get ahead of the rest of the fleet, but not far enough to do well on handicap. Similarly, the Dart also struggled in the conditions, finishing behind the Lasers.
Once again Paine had a bad start, being recalled for being over the start line early. Osborne had the initial lead among the Lasers. Paine caught up and picked a better course up the second beat to take the lead. But Osborne was just behind at the final mark and a close race ensued for the final beat to the finish.
Paine set his course to finish at the committee boat, while Osborne set sail towards the pin mark at the other end of the line. This proved to be the better choice as the wind pressure in that area of the course permitted Osborne to cross the finish line two seconds ahead.
Paine was the handicap winner of the first race and Osborne won race three on this basis. Overall, for the three races, Paine leads the series for the Kim Cup, one point ahead of Malcolm Osborne.
For more information about George Lakes Yacht Club, see its website, www.glyc.org.za or like its Facebook page, GLYC. Anyone interested in sailing is welcome to visit the club on a Sunday (at about 12:00) to see the boats and be taken out on the water for a short sail.
There was some close racing in the first race on Sunday. From left: The Lasers of Maurits Lammers, Brian Musto and Henry Paine, the Dart of Hans Delport, the Sonnet of Conrad and Ferdinand Holm and the Laser of Chris Kennedy. Photos: Jenna Lammers
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