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SAP and the International 5O5 Class are proud to announce their partnership for the 2017 SAP 5O5 World Championship
Severn Sailing Association (SSA) and Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) will jointly host the 2017 SAP 5O5 World Championship from September 20-29 in Annapolis, Maryland USA. More than 100 boats representing a dozen nations are expected to compete in the 62nd running of one of sailing’s premier events. SSA and EYC have partnered for the previous two seasons, running major 5O5 events in preparation for 2017. |
- Category: Blog
Pic courtesy of Sophie Thompson
Text by Myles White
Friday was day 1 of the regatta – the support fleet put to sea with the 2 Flying Fifteens. The heavy chop in the harbour was evidence of the rather fresh wind, but as always when the wind comes to us from the South Coast, Vetch’s is deceivingly sheltered. The beach was full of rigged boats eager to hit the water, but Jimmy kept them on shore as the wind direction shifted continuously, and the velocity hovered near the top end of the acceptable range. Refeloa “Waterboy” Zelilo made an early call on prudency and returned home on the Classic FF, while we encountered a visiting Dart fending his bows off North Pier, unable to tack. After some time the wind eased enough and a course was laid, and the boats were given authority to launch. The first casualty was Wayne Smith – his stay wire parted just as he reached the race course, and he was towed back to the beach, where he was later to play an important role in co-ordinating the safe return of boats and competitors.
All safety boats were then called to “sweep” behind the start line – and a busy time was had -Cartwheeling Hobies became the order of the day as the wind started freshening again once the start sequence got under way. The 505s set off first, followed by the Darts, Hobies, and then the Open class. Jean-Marc George and I stood by a capsized Hobie whose mast had filled up, making righting and staying upright a very difficult task. During the 40 or so minutes it took to assist, and eventually drop the sail and tow the boat back to the start area, we had drifted probably a mile downstream. It was evident that the wind strength had increased further, with numerous boats heading home without finishing. A Dart that had lost its mast plus a waterlogged 505 were tethered to Husky’s stern, awaiting a tow back to Vetch’s. All safety boats had had their hands full assisting all over the course, and finally we could co-ordinate the return to shore with the damaged boats.
The waterlogged 505 had in the mean-time decided to sail back to shore under jib alone – an impossible feat. It was clear that the damage was terminal, but the crew were determined to make it home, even alone. While under tow the boat repeatedly capsized uncontrollably, despite the tow speed being only around 1 knot. Darkness fell and we were still over a mile from shore, and when she capsized again when a train squall arrived, we ordered the crew to abandon ship and board Oppie Duck, so we could get them to dry land. We learned that a Hobie 14 had also had to be abandoned, while The King had another wounded Hobie under tow. Not counting the number of dropped masts, 2 boats had to be abandoned, but all sailors were returned to shore safely. Whilst terms such as “mayhem” and “chaos” would be too strong, it was very challenging conditions for competitors and support crew alike, and I believe that the PYC team is to be commended on their performance that day.
The Hobie was recovered at La Lucia on Saturday afternoon, while the 505 made landfall at Umhlanga Rocks, where it unfortunately was rendered a write-off. Racing on Saturday was abandoned as the wind strength was way over the top, but the support fleet went to sea to recover the course marks which had been left in place due to the late return the previous day.
Sunday was the best day of the regatta, with 3 races being completed. The wind strength again increased, but only during the third race, after which everyone was sent home. Monday however, dawned sunny with little wind, but Windguru was suggesting more of what we had been experiencing. The fleet came out and racing got underway as the wind settled in the upper teens – champagne racing! But before the race was over we were back into the mid and upper twenties and yet again all racing was abandoned. Capsizes were the order of the day and yet again the support boats had their hands full assisting to right the cats, and towing others home.
Even today the South Wester has still been howling – making great passage for the arriving Cape visitors participating in the Vasco race, but these same winds sadly led to the cancellation of the Inhaca race.
But as they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and we can congratulate our members Peter Hall for winning the Hobie 14 Regionals, as well as Siya Vato and Lucky Phakathi for winning the Open class on a Flying Fifteen. I mentioned the Funke brothers winning the 505s, and even though the club name Aeolians appeared on the score sheet, we know that Thomas is really a PYC man at heart. Ben Mienie from the Vaal took the honours in the Dart class.
- Category: Blog
5 Five Os competed in the first SAS Autum Grand Slam event at Pretoria SC on the weekend of 30th April. The wind conditions were excellent and racing tight. Exciting racing saw Albrecht Holm and Jean du Preez win the regatta followed by Warwick Ham and Jonothan Viljoen. Jonothan Ham and his variety of crew finished in third place. The Grand Slam series is definitely turning out to be a winner for South African sailors with enthusiasm around these events being at all time highs. A big thank you to Pretoria SC for putting on an excellent event and to all the brave sailors for taking part. The next Northvaal Grand Slam event and 505 Provincials are taking place at Aeolians on the 17th and 18th of September 2016. So don't miss out and keep an eye on the calendar for further race information.
- Category: Blog
Hi Everyone,
I hope all is good in your countries!
The entry process for this year’s Worlds should open in the next week or so – there will be plenty of PR to announce the start – there will be early entry discounts.
I have been in touch with many sailors from around the world helping answer various questions, and many have pre-registered on the website.
It would be great to know from you how many from your country fleets you think are likely to be coming – particularly from Europe.
Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. It is worth noting that P&O have offered us the friends and family discount on their ferry routes which could be a 35% discount.
For the Europeans last year the UK teams found it cost effective to use a container to N. Europe is this something you guys on POL/SWE/FIN have considered?
There has been a lot of interest in the Classic 5O5 regatta in the UK (for boats over 25 years old) – this is a good way to help fill up containers to get some of the slightly less competitive boats involved in the event.
I look forward to seeing you at Weymouth this summer.
Again, please do get in touch if I can help with anything
Best regards
Roger
Roger Deane
President UK 505 Yacht Racing Association
+44 7712 762315
+44 1780 489443
- Category: Blog
The 2016 505 nationals were a huge success. 12 boats made the trip to the beautiful West Coast town of Saldanha Bay to compete in the event. The event was sailed together with the Western Cape Championship and the SAS Grand Slam Series.
Everything was well organised and racing got underway in light conditions on Friday afternoon. Two races were sailed and the battle for the top three positions was clear with James Largier and Richard Hutton-Squire, the defending champions, stamping their authority on the first race, while the Mirror World Champion, Ryan Robinson and Warwick Ham, won the second race. Racing was extremely tight with the Funke brothers finishing in third and Alex Ham and Alex Burger coming home in second.
Saturday dawned with the prospect of big breeze. The first cold front of the winter was expected to make landfall during the day, which meant that racing was going to be pushed in early as the wind was expected to increase to 30 knots by late afternoon. 4 races were sailed and the fight for the top position continued with the heavy weather specialists, James and Richard, dominating the racing with two firsts followed by Alex and Alex close behind. Tina Plattner and David Shelton also showed good form with some good results. As predicted strong conditions started to materialise and the bridge officer, Di Hutton-Squire, called off racing after the 4th race. Some breakages occurred and one of these casualties was the Funke brothers, which put an end to their chance of a top three finish.
Racing on Easter Sunday was postponed and started promptly at 12 with medium conditions. The battle in the fleet continued with Alex and Alex sailing hard against the defending champions. A further 4 races were sailed with the top 5 boats changing positions regularly. A little mistake could cost dearly. After day 3, Alex and Alex were ahead by 2 points followed closely by James and Richard and with two discards in, the final day would be the decider.
Monday dawned with no wind and the race committee bravely decided to wander onto the race course to see if something would materialise. Racing started promptly at 11am and two races were sailed. In the light wind, all boats are fast and this was proven when Georgou Divaris and Ferdi Holm won race 11 followed closely Alex and Alex in second and the Funke brothers in third. Race 12 also went down to the wire with Kyle Klaas and Robert v Gruenewaldt leading the fleet for a short period, before they got caught in a lull and dropped to third with Ryan and Warwick in second and Alex and Alex in first.
505 racing is what makes sailing great. The teams and boats are definitely faster after the Worlds in PE and this year a contingent of 6 boats will make their way to Weymouth to compete in the 2016 event. The experience and knowledge that teams bring back home has assisted the class tremendously as it goes from strength to strength. 505 racing is here to stay.
Congratulations to the new national champions!
- Category: Blog