While there were fewer boats on the water, a good 24 participated, of which seven were in the junior fleet (six Optimists and a Tera Sport). A forecast wind of 13 knots did not materialise and sailing took place in misty conditions with a light South-Easter.
It showed signs of improving for the second race, with some stronger gusts coming through. But these soon faded and an intended third race could not be held.
The senior fleet had three Fireballs and a 29er as potential line-honour winner, followed by Lasers, two Sonnets and a Gypsy. In the first race, the Fireball of Malcolm Osborne and Chris Brooks was first to the weather mark, but was overtaken on the downwind leg, first by the similar boat of David Laing and Mark Dee, then by the 29er of Georgou Divaris and James Hellstrom.
The leading 29er and Fireball continued to race at the front of the fleet, with the Laing/ Dee team managing to finish in front. Further behind, the Lasers were led by John Marc Olivier, with Bill Turner and Henry Paine not far behind. With class ratings, Olivier got the race win, ahead of Paine and Laing/ Dee. In the junior fleet, the Dabchick of Matthew de Villiers led the fleet, followed by the Optimist of James Vonk. On handicap, the race win went to James, ahead of Sean Vonk and Ethan Alberts.
A similar scenario unfolded for the second race. With the slightly stronger wind, the Divaris/ Hellstrom 29er was able to establish a slight lead over the Laing/ Dee Fireball, finishing 35 seconds ahead.
Once again, John Marc Olivier was the third finisher on his Laser, with a handy lead over the Lasers of Paine and Maurits Lammers. On handicap, Olivier had the race win, with Laing/ Dee second and Paine in third place. In the junior fleet, De Villiers finished first, only just ahead of the Optimist of James Vonk. Next to finish was the Tera Sport of Markos Divaris. On handicap, James was the race winner, ahead of Markos and Sean Vonk.
Overall winners of the four races sailed for the Commodores Cup, were John Marc Olivier, ahead of David Laing and Malcolm Osborne. In the junior fleet, sailing for the Nissen Trophy, the overall winner is James Vonk, with Sean Vonk in second place and Ethan Alberts in third place.
For more information about George Lakes Yacht Club, refer to the website www.glyc.org.za.
Part of the GLYC fleet sailing on Sunday, November 2 with Luke de Villiers sailing his Optimist in the foreground.
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