The Eastern Cape Provincials was hosted by Mossel Bay Yacht Club this weekend (1st- 3rd oct). First day conditions ranged from 12-18 knots with big swells going against the wind and chop with the wind, making it tricky sailing against the wind and interesting sailing off the wind. This made for an awkward pitchpole and a few close calls at the leeward gate marks. Jeremy Foreman mastered these conditions, achieving a 2nd place followed by three 1st places. Kevin Foreman claimed the first win. On Sunday, the racing was postponed due to a heavy onshore breeze of 20 knots gusting to 28 knots. The wind then calmed to a steady 12ish knots and we were able to get one race in. Monday saw hardly any wind, racing once again being postponed, but the wind eventually came through providing a shifty 8-10 knots with monster swell, making upwind sailing very tricky.
The final results were as followed:
1st: Jeremy Foreman (new Eastern Cape Champion)
2nd: Kevin Foreman
3rd: Jason Gray
4th: Jon Kukard
5th: Jaques Louw
(the rest of the positions I’m not too sure of)
Well done to all the sailors who participated. I can say for sure that this year’s Nationals is going to be one of the most competitive in the last decade. It will also be a heart sore moment for those ageing out of THE best youth class.
Jonathan Kukard