We would like to make use of this platform to send out a huge thank you to our race support, rescue, and skipper volunteers. We truly appreciate the time you have given to us and without your continued support and assistance, our sailing would not be the same. Over the past months we have received significant support from Alec McNamara, Coert Grobbelaar, Chris Parry, Patricia Kilburn, Rob & Sandy Samways, Gary & Thryza Price, Pam Featherstone, Greg Barkley, Andy Brown, Welcome, Victor, and many more. For those members and non-members with an interest in assisting us with future sailing events, please take a look through our Volunteer Policy Document and feel free to contact us at 031 301 5425 or [email protected]
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Well done Ladies! (and Carl)
Over the past few months, some may have noticed the RNYC Ladies Team sailing around the bay, trying to figure out how to sail a Pacer. This past Sunday, 19th May, saw us put our practice to the test with our first venture out onto a race course for the Brighton Beach Backline Race. For most of us, who had “learn how to sail” as a New Year’s resolution, it was the first time sailing against another boat, never mind sailing against 9 other boats. The objective of the race was simple – sail how we had practiced. We just wanted to benchmark ourselves, and make sure our training program is going in the right direction. After a less than favourable start, we were left with one simple strategy - sail how we train; and we did just that. An early tack to get clear air got us away from the fleet, and onto a lucky wind-shift. From there, we were able to tack back to the windward mark, and sneak around it with a bit of space between ourselves and the fleet. A quick spinnaker hoist put us onto a bit of a sleigh ride all the way down the coast, managing to hook onto a few surfs in the infamous North-Easter chop. A few gybes later, we were bearing down on Moses in Scorpio and the turning mark. To, possibly the fleet, but definitely our surprise, we were still in the lead – despite pressure from Zing and Ngwenya. Delivering such a strong performance very likely led the crew of most boats in the race to sit up and take some notice. A near-flawless spinnaker drop and the ensuing mark rounding put us onto the long, wet and bumpy beat home. Not really favouring either particular side of the course, we were able to slog it out and keep our boat-speed up, while not losing too much pointing ability, despite the reputable chop. Zing’s good effort up the beat started to get the nerves ticking a bit, but the race was just too short for her to play catch up. The double sweep of handicap and line honours made for a Cinderella Story-type finish for a group of ladies that have shown pure enjoyment, eagerness and determination with the practicing and training. They have definitely put themselves on the radar in the Durban racing scene, and it’s been an absolute privilege to have done my little bit to help get them here. All I can say is watch this space...
Notes from some of the team members: “We sailed. We got wet. We saw a turtle. We had a beer.” – Carl Zimmerman “A great first race for us ladies who are all new to the sport. The race was followed by some joking among some slightly disgruntled competitors about the secret strategies employed by the ladies but Zing and Sundance eventually accepted their runner up places graciously, congratulating the girls on a surprising but deserved victory.” – Ursula Schei “ We were entered at short notice and jumped in feet first to get some experience in offshore racing. We put our training to the test and guided by our young skipper, we enjoyed every minute of the journey. Winning was just a bonus for a most enjoyable and fun team sail.” – Rosalind Moffat We have come a long way in a very short time thanks to the patience, sturdiness and wisdom of our coach Carl Zimmerman!! It’s an honour to sail for RNYC as their ladies team and we will continue to dedicate ourselves and our time to improvement every sail! It’s incredible to see how the team members have each found their ‘happy place’ on our yacht and how we work together as one. Onwards and upwards !! – Phranké Nel and Corlia van Tonder Written by Mr Mark Cawdron, RNYC
This past Monday, on the 20th May, an open meeting was held at PYC to discuss the current general situation that our two Clubs find ourselves in, and specifically the negative effect that this is having on our sport of sailing. The meeting was attended by members of both the RNYC and PYC, however due to some confusion regarding the publication of the notice of the meeting, the ratio of PYC members to RNYC members was approximately 2:1. Notwithstanding this, the meeting was held in a good spirit of frank openness. Nigel Milne addressed the meeting and laid out some of the issues affecting both our Clubs, which included, but was not limited to, the following:
Nigel then opened the meeting to the floor and there were some insightful comments from both RNYC and PYC members. The general feeling from the floor was that both Clubs need to work together to forge a closer relationship that could realise the synergies that exist between us, and that this would prove beneficial in terms re-energising sailing, improving club utilisation and rationalising costs. It was also felt that the Clubs need to move with the times and embrace transformation. A joint committee has been formed consisting of an equal number of members of both Clubs to investigate the way forward. |
AuthorThe Royal Natal Yacht Club is the oldest yacht and sports Club in Africa and the oldest yacht club in the southern hemisphere. Read our Newsletter to find out more! Archives
February 2020
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