“SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC” HUNTER CLASS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

DAC – VAAL DAM
Saturday 19 March to Monday 21 March 20011

Consistency on the water was once again the name of the game as ‘Bad News’ (Luke Wagner/ Byron Watt) travelled fast in challenging wind conditions to take the Hunter Class’ National title.

Thirty-five of these ever-popular nineteen foot keelers participated in the three-day championship regatta, sailed out of DAC on the Vaal Dam. Race Officer, Trevor Hulleman, and his able assistants did very well in typically changeable Highveld dam wind conditions to get through the quota of races to the satisfaction of the participants.

The results of the only two races completed on the Saturday reflected the widely-ranging performances of the competing boats in the often-fluky conditions. By the end of the second day, only four or five boats had made the most of their opportunities and were in realistic contention for top honours, with clear evidence of close tussles throughout the remainder of the fleet. A single race on Monday, sailed in light and variable conditions, determined the final positions for the regatta.

Luke was able to put his rapidly-growing sailing experience to the test against many of the more mature campaigners in the Hunter Class and was certainly not found wanting. Multiple past champions, John Bruckman and Dave Martinson, were complimentary in their praise of Luke as they settled for second place after their competitive showing in the early races of the regatta. Luke represents the growing number of young sailors coming to the fore in keeler fleet competitions across the country. A most positive sign indeed.

Henley Midmar Yacht Club won the ‘Reg Beavitt Memorial Trophy’ after their five top finishing ‘HMYC Raiders’ entrants pipped Witbank Yacht and Aquatic Club’s team by the narrowest of margins in the competition for the club trophy. It was interesting to note the encouraging number of entrants from clubs towing boats to the Vaal.

Results:
Scratch – 1. ‘Bad News’ (Luke Wagner/Byron Watt)
2. ‘Copadaph’ (John Bruckman/Dave Martinson)
3. ‘Vaal Valk’ (Herbie Karolius/Keith Vennell)

Handicap – 1. ‘Haysons’ (Colin Hay/Steve Mathews)
2. ‘Kingship’ (James King/Oliver Reprich)
3. ‘Wings’ (Sleigh Haynes/John Haynes)

Youth – 1. ‘Spottymoto’ (David Santiero/Sean van Rensburg)

Ladies – 1. ‘Assegaai’ – (Jessica Lenz/Birgit Johnstone)


Reg Beavitt (Club Competition ) Memorial Trophy – Henley Midmar Yacht Club