Southeaster has sailors struggling

GEORGE SAILING NEWS - A strong southeaster that prevailed at Island Lake on Sunday was not favourable for sailing.

Only four Optimists set off for the racing, accompanied by two Lasers and the Fireball of Georgou Divaris and Ferdinand Holm. However, three of the Optimists found the conditions too extreme and they returned to shore, leaving just Conrad Holm to sail the course. This he did most competently, completing both races of the day.

The Fireball was ahead in the first race at the first mark, then recovering from a capsize during their spinnaker set. Malcolm Osborne, on a Laser Radial, arrived at this mark just ahead of Henry Paine sailing a Laser Standard.

Paine then had gear failure rounding this mark and had to be towed home by the safety boat.

The Fireball extended a lead of ten minutes ahead of the Laser at the end of the race, which was reduced to five minutes after taking class handicaps into account.

With the increased wind speed, Osborne opted to return to shore, leaving just the Fireball and Optimist to sail the second race.

The Fireball showed its speed by completing the first race in 26 minutes, bettering it to just 24 minutes in the increased wind of the second race.

For more information about George Lakes Yacht Club, see its website, www.glyc.org.za or like its Facebook page, GLYC.

The Fireball extended a lead of ten minutes ahead of the Laser at the end of the race, which was reduced to five minutes after taking class handicaps into account.