Volvo Boats arrive in Cape Town!

Abu Dhabi

DongFeng

Crew of Abu Dhabi at the Prizegiving

Abu Dhabi crossed the line just a few minutes ahead of DongFeng - about 3 miles lead -  this after 25 days and 17000 miles or so!!! Man alive - is that match-racing or what!? Just imagine the stress on these crews! This is largely due to the boats being identical for the first time, its all up to the crews...and - er - the navigators. These two boats looked to be in really good shape, which is just as well, as they have a fair bit to go still. I don't think I envy these guys too much.

An hour or so later I happened to be in Pick'nPay, getting some emergency wine supplies, when I noticed two young guys ahead of me in the queue dressed in red Musto Sailing gear. We took a chance and asked them - in English - if they were from the DongFeng? Of course they were - and very amazed we'd made the connection - and then bubbled on about Cape Town for a few minutes to say how happy they were to be here and especially in Cape Town - and what a nice reception they'd had. I would have to agree - it was quite impressive! And what lovely humble and nice people! They were just buying some pleasantries to remind themselves what life on land is all about - 25 days in a washing machine is not for everybody I think. They deserve a good rest now.

Keep an eye on this race, it will be one of the most interesting Volvo's ever! Personally, I think the formula is just about right now. And go see the boats sometime, for yachties, this is quite some eye-candy.

See Trevor Wilkins pics of the arrival of Abu Dhabi here - awesome!

Wednesday Results!

Unusually small fleet this time - despite conditions in the bay being excellent for sailing! Was it the Volvo race or Guy Fawkes? I hope not the latter. Anyway, the braai in the club was quite notable, if Audrey's Facebook pic was anything to go by!

1 JML2
2 Savannah
3 Faraway

More results here.

Old Bulls fight back!

Well after the various upsets of the previous weeks, Megafreight came roaring back to cross the line first this time, and producing a clear win on corrected time as well. Well done to them! Second across the line was Faraway, and only a few seconds behind them was Skebenga.Now I know this is supposed to be a handicap race - and indeed it is - but the battle for line honours has become very interesting with each of Skebenga, Faraway and Megafreight capable of crossing first! Not sure how Skebenga is managing this but it's quite amazing.

Anyway, back to the story, summary results on corrected time:

1. Megafreight
2. JML2
3. Faraway
4. Aquamania
5. Skebenga
6. Savannah

Full results here

Skebenga crosses first!

For the first time in ages and ages, line honours has not gone to either of Faraway or Megafreight! Skebenga, a well equipped Fast 42, is starting to show her potential in no uncertain terms. In last night's race, she crossed a full 87 seconds ahead of Megafreight, and about ten minutes ahead of Faraway. Conditions were extremely light and I have no doubt that a few holes played some part in this all, but it is equally amazing to see Skebenga do so well in such light wind. Well done Paul and team. There is definitely a new player at the front of the fleet! Watch this space.

Well done to JML-2 for winning on corrected time.

It is also nice to see Reaction in the fleet, we do need an RCOD to look at!

Results on corrected time:
1. JML 2 
2. Megafreight 
3. Skebenga 
4. QBI 
5. Faraway 
6. Savannah 
7. Reaction 

Full results here.

Wednesday Race Results

Five boats started in a 10kt Southerly. 

Megafreight took a clear lead and won by a massive margin! 
Savannah second on corrected time, followed by JML2, Skebenga and QBI.

Full results here.

Summer Season Wednesday Racing Starts Again!

The Wednesday Summer Series started in fine style with eight boats on the water, and fourteen knots of South-Easter. Megafreight just pipped Faraway over the line (3 seconds!) - to take first place - line honours and corrected time! Skebenga arrived only 7 seconds after Faraway! Hells Bells, what a finish! Skebenga is going to be a heck of a contender this season....

Have a good look at the full results here!

2014 Summer Opening Cruise!

Commodore's Party

Old and the New!

View from "Flying Cloud"

The newly restored "She" making a welcome appearance!

Many thanks to Roy McBride for the great pics!

Sunday Racing Results, 17 August

Apologies this one is quite late, just received it!

Appears to have been very little wind, with many DNSs and DNFs. 
Yacht A1 narrowly pipped Savannah on corrected time.

Race Results for 17 August 2014

Savannah gets a turn!

Savannah took 1st place on corrected time in a very close finish on Sunday afternoon. JML-3 and Faraway with less than 10s between them!

1. Savannah Keith Gemmell 0.910 1 03-Aug-14 15:40:26 1.000 2208
2. Aries JML 3 ?? 0.965 2 03-Aug-14 15:40:07 2.000 2323
3. Faraway No 3 Chris Sutton 1.130 3 03-Aug-14 15:34:25 3.000 2333
4. Skebenga Alan Harrington 1.165 4 03-Aug-14 15:44:03 4.000 3079

Full results here.

Megafreight returns with Avengeance!

Megafreight, pictured at Admirals 2014

Megafreight came back in great style this week to take a clear lead in the light winds. Faraway managed a good second place, and Skebenga did remarkably well to come in 3rd in a competitive fleet of 7! Interesting result as Aquamaniac, followed by the JML L26s brought up the rear, in these light conditions.

Full results here.