GEORGE SAILING NEWS - For the first time since 2019, the George Lakes Yacht Club (GLYC) was able to host the Eden District Inter-schools Regatta over the past weekend.
This year 30 boats participated, 21 in the high schools fleet and nine in the primary schools fleet.
In the primary schools fleet, Pacaltsdorp Primary had six boats, with individual entries from Hoekwil, Seabridge and home schools. The high school fleet had representatives from nine schools in Knysna, Mossel Bay and George - six boats from York High, five from Hillcrest High (Mossel Bay), three from Glenwood House, two from Point High (Mossel Bay), two from Greenwood Bay College (Plettenberg Bay) and single entries from other schools.
Unfortunately wind predictions for the weekend were not encouraging. On Saturday, a forecast south-easter did not materialise and two races were held in the morning in a very light south-westerly wind. One race was held after lunch, with the wind having swung south. When misty conditions cleared on Sunday morning, one short race (single triangle) was completed in drifting conditions.
In the high school races, first to finish in all the races was the 29er sailed by Christian Cillan and Oliver Holden. However, with race elapsed times corrected by class handicap ratings, Jean Paul Buys (Outeniqua High) sailing a Laser Radial came out as the winner of the first three races and Ashley Layland (Teneo), also on Laser radial, winning race 4. JP Buys was the overall individual winner in the high schools fleet, with Ashley Layland in second place. Conrad Holm (Glenwood House) came in third.
For the inter-schools competition, York High was the winner of the Eden Inter-schools High School trophy, ahead of Glenwood House and Point High.
For the primary school fleet, all sailed the colourful O9er dinghies. They just sailed four short races on Saturday. Coming out in front in this fleet was Owen Conradie (Homeschool), who won three races. Consistently in second place in all the races was Milan Nel (Seabridge). Third place was taken by Alexis Abrahams (Pacaltsdorp). She also was the winner of the second race.
In the inter-schools competition, Pacaltsdorp Primary was the winner of the Eden Inter-schools Primary School Trophy.
Sponsorships from Lew Geffen / Sothebys International Realty (George) contributed greatly to the success of the event.
The victorious sailors of the York High team, winner of the 2023 Eden District Inter-Schools Regatta (high schools). Photo: Mireille Layland
The sailors from Pacaltsdorp Primary, the primary school team winners of the Eden Inter-schools Regatta. Photo: Ingrid Buys
Owen Conradie, the Eden Inter-schools Regatta winner (Primary School fleet), with Evelyn Osborne of GLYC. Photo: Ingrid Buys
Overall winner of the high schools fleet Jean Paul Buys, with GLYC Commodore David Laing (left) and his mother, Ingrid Buys. Photo: Mireille Layland
Part of the high schools fleet sailing in light conditions on Island Lake on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Mireille Layland
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