19 November 2022
Saturday morning early, and the Vaal Dam greeted with calm conditions. 24 entrants, with great anticipation, awaited the wind forecast of 20+ knots…
The mix of yacht classes and clubs was encouraging, including early starters Roderick on a Microsail from PNYC, the SYC Hunter “Amooti” with Lewellyn at the helm, followed by three DAC Mistrals and Ian from SPYC, two Holiday 23s DAC, Graham & SPYC Alan Foden. To add to the mix, Stadt23s and a Formula 1.
The DAC Harvey family, having considered the forecast, swopped the J22 entry for the “Stratus”, a Nimbus, which joined “CinPie”, Pieter’s active SPYC Nimbus, all joined by the bigger yachts – Stadt34 “Rosa Viento”, J27 “Instigator”, Farr38 “Sorteria”, “Sillago” an Atlantis 36, Deon’s Far East 28R “PhattAss” and Herbie on the graceful Fast42 “Baleka”.
Bringing up the latest starting times were 4 x Dragon Flys – 3 from SYC and the other from LDYC.
Peter Pace did enter the Tornado “MY Beloved” but considering the conditions at 12h41, his starting time, (ten minutes behind the Dragon Flys), Peter reported to Bridge that he would not be competing.
A mixed grill of yachts to say the least.
The first starters were at 11h00 for the Microsail and Hunter, and already, wind had picked up to 17-19 knot range, with start line between Muster and SPYC marks, the westerly ideally suited the course including Muster, LDYC, Rose Bay, SPYC and the DAC (fixed) marks.
By the time the Dragon Flys started 12h31 – the wind was constantly in the early 20 knot range, which, as everyone later appreciated, suited the Dragons.
The early lead was the Harvey’s Nimbus on return from LDYC mark, and continued to wrestle with “CinPie” for a long way around the course and marks.
The Mistrals, H23, F1 and Stadt “Rustler” were fighting out for the (2nd) lead in a bunch, even considering a somewhat long race, so much so that Ian Harvey lost his motor together with the bracket to Davey Jones Locker in an unfortunate incident due the conditions. So, if anyone needs an outboard motor and bracket – dive to a depth of 20m odd of water around the Muster Mark…
It was however, just a matter of time when the Dragon Flys literally came “flying into the lead”. As per Herbie’s (Fast 42) comment later, “Well we were going well around 9/10knots, when the Flying Dragons came past and it looked like I was looking for parking!”
The ongoing dog fight for the lead between Harry on “Gumphy” and Ben’s “Krokodil” flying the hulls in +20 knots constantly, with some gusts registered over 30 knots, a sight to behold.
Unfortunately the other two Dragon Flys “Flying Dragon” and “Magic Porafly” retired due injuries (to the yachts!).
The finish was a close affair, with “Gumphy” crossing the line a few seconds in front of “Krokodil”.
So too was the finish for 3rd place, with “Baleka” just pipping the FarEast28R “PhattAss” by a few seconds, as was the dice for 5th between the two Nimbus’, with “CinPie” taking the honours there.
They were followed by the Stadt34 “Rosa Viento”- with a ripped Mainsail – lovely excuse for Brad to “purchase” a replacement main!
Then came the F1 of Steve Niccol and just in “cut off time” Jake on the J27 “Instigator”
Unfortunately, no other yacht made the cut off time, but kudos to all of them. Well done for persevering under difficult conditions!
A well attended prize giving at DAC took place on Saturday evening, with the 2 x SYC Dragon Flys taking the majority of the prizes”, followed by the DAC folk.
Thank you to all the competitors and to Marie and Paul for the assistance on the bridge and all DAC staff who all contributed to a successful “DAC Pursuit Race 2022”
And, a BIG thank you to Brad Wooley of “Rosa Viento” for a monthly sponsorship / subscription of the Estela Sail Track, which unfortunately, due power outages and related lack of signal, was a little erratic, but never the less, a great tool to monitor the race from shore / home and onboard. Same will still be available for the 75th Anniversary SA Sailing Event.
