Sunday's arrival of almost all the teams minus Stellies and the odd few meant there was a bit of a dilemma with having to move the regatta's events a day earlier. Disappointment all round when the USSA virgins discovered they weren't getting off from their funnels that easily and those missing being fined heavily on top of that. There was definitely a higher level of jokes from each team but that didn't mean they got any less than their two funnels. 2012 was also a year for two USSA veterans: UCT's Oliver Hobson and Wits' George Gibson.
2012 started with a bang and it was going to stay that way for the rest of the week.
Monday, after a filling breakfast and regatta briefing, boats rigged and wind not quite ready meant that racing started post a delicious lunch. Wind picking up and remaining somewhat steady the racing was off to a great start. The course was set as beat to the first mark, a reach to the second, run to the third, reach to the fourth and a final beat up to the finish rounding all marks to the port side. Having 22 races to get done the first Race began with UCT A taking on a partially (being kind) novice Wits B with an easy win.
With the winds picking up and a few novice teams nervous to sail meant that seven races got done, leaving 15 races to go.
Boat races picked up another competitive vibe off the water as Stellies came in 4th, Rhodes in 3rd, UCT in second and Wits holding their boat race title.
Tuesday hosted the most beautiful wind of the regatta but not the most pleasant of days. With cold and rain forecast for the day, it made it hard for the sailors to get up and on the water. Finishing nine races before lunch meant only six to follow. Much excitement with a completed round-robin meant that semis and finals could be finished on Wednesday with crazy inter-team racing on the Thursday.
Hundred's Club was up for the evening's entertainment. Everyone ready and waiting the long sit of a shot a minute began. 100 seamed a long feat too a few, where the bathrooms where just too inviting, not to mention a few unsuspecting dustbins and bushes nearby.
With Stellies having to write sup exams on Wednesday morning, racing was postponed till after lunch where the infamous cape South Easter had other plans. Having a blow out of racing it was decided that an early Thursday would have to do; a tight fit in of the last races and no more inter-team racing.
Fines meeting brought attention to all the craziness and stupidity of the weeks events. From hookups to losses, capsizes and boat collisions, silly accents to Lady Gaga, late arrivals and standing ovations. There was little left unsaid with only more to follow the rest of the evening.
Thursday brought an insanely early start on any varsity student's standard 7am, would hopefully mean a completed semi's and finals. However the wind would not play ball and with little to none the sailing was called off and the round-robin results would have to suffice. With the round robin completed the results were as follows: Rhodes in 7th, Wits C 6th, Wits B 5th, Stellies 4th, Wits A 3rd, UCT B 2nd and UCT A holding their leading record in 1st place. With the results in, the boats packed and ready for youth nationals a few headed off and the rest of the day was spent in the sun or the water. A perfect day for wave surfing behind the rubber duck.
Ladies and Gentlemen dressed to impress for the Final Dinner and awards.
What a 'memorable' event USSA was this year. With an impressive menu to say the least and a well run bridge and race committee, there is little wrong to be said. The only complaint would come in the form of UCT needing security from the odd Wits member.
2013 has a lot to live up to and will hopefully be a complete regatta with all five competing varsities and a few more.
Let's call it recovery;-)
Until next time
