Wits Yacht Club: Match Racing: UKZN vs Wits

On Friday, 23 November, twelve Witsies arrived at Royal Natal Yacht Club in Durban for the second round of the Wits vs. UKZN match racing 2012, a warm up event for the USSA regatta hosted by UCT at Theewaterskloof just outside Stellenbosch. The Wits team had been training their novice sailors for a few weeks to get them ready for the ever memorable inter-varsity event.

A pleasant afternoon was spent setting up our tents, having drinks and relaxing; glad to be out of Jo'burg and by the sea. After dinner at Royal Natal we headed over to Caprice with the UKZN Yacht Club for a last night as friends before meeting in the morning as opponents. A surprise firework display ended the night and we tumbled into our sleeping bags for a good night’s sleep before the racing.

With registration and briefing still to happen meant, in varsity terms, an early 9am start. The race boats, two Flying Fifteens rigged and launched, two L26’s for the bridge and people carrier as well as a rubber duck meant that Durban harbour Match racing was commencing.

A windward leeward course was laid out with a simple one lap race. This meant that time was used wisely with many races hosting clear leads between teams. With a few surprises laid out on the water (not strictly race related) included Coach sailing straight into the committee boat and Chzepal knocking himself instead of crew off his boat; not once but twice.

A tense tie breaker between Wits' own Brad Robinson, and UKZN's Charlotte Marshall led to an all Wits Semi-final. Brennan Robinson faced off Vicky Stock in the final, with Brennan making it over the line first as a ship coming in forced officials to announce a shortened course. We sailed back to shore to de-rig the boats before a great meal at RNYC. A traditional ‘fines’ meeting at Caprice was held afterwards and much 'merriment' ensued.

Sunday brought a gloomy day, with winds that would have blown our tents away had we not been in them. A few got places on PYC Keelers for an offshore race with a few being offshore for the first time. Returning cold, tired and bruised for a belated prize giving. The absence of many meant extra prizes for some, after which we said goodbye to our UKZN friends, Royal Natal and a memorable weekend.

Thank you to RNYC for being great hosts, Graham Rose, our race officer and Rob Samways, our umpire. A special thanks to UKZN, especially Chris Kloppenborg, for the preparation that so obviously went into making this event a success. We’re looking forward to next year.