Pre-cursor

The weekend of the 14th of November saw the Halcat Nationals being sailed Trichardtsfontein dam near Secunda. Having never sailed at the venue and therefore not knowing what to expect 2 sailors from the Dart 18 fleet set off to go personally see how the Halcat revival was really coming along.

Arriving at the dam we were pleasantly surprised by the setting of the dam and there was even a nice 10-12 knot breeze blowing. After rigging the boats it was time for the skippers briefing and having the law laid down to us by two SAS officials who would be running the bridge. Oddly enough the “law” was to have a good time (they ain’t called the happy Halcatters for nothing).

Racing.

The racing and line honours in general was mainly between about 8 boats who were consistently on the line when the gun went off, the rest of the fleet was more than content just to sail around the course, although with that said the racing was still fierce between those boats even if they weren’t on the line when the start siren went off.

Results

Pieter Wissekerke eventually ended 4th overall, he was lying second before the last race but due to being over the line was rewarded with an OCS at the start of the last race something that cost him the second place

As for my self I was lying 7th overall and getting quicker, unfortunately my starbaord stay popped before the first race of day two and so i missed 3 races which ultimately give my 15th overall. There is always next year

Complete list of placings can be found here

Will we sail next year?

Hell yeah! This is great event that is run very professionally and has a lot of emphasis put on the fun aspect of sailing. Anyone that has Halcat is encouraged to take part in this regatta as it really is a gas!