The 3^rd sailing of the Mid Summer Fling Regatta took place at Royal Cape Yacht Club on 3, 4 and 5 February 2012. This event was once again sponsored by Lord Laidlaw, a member of Royal Cape and owner of the yacht Cape Fling.

The Regatta kicked off with the sponsor treating all the boat owners to dinner at his mansion in Noordhoek on the Thursday evening. This was already an honor to be present at, with Lady Christine making all feel like royalty. We were treated to a tour of the gardens and a great dinner. A definite must if you enter next year’s event!

Racing was scheduled to start on the Friday evening, but the wind was up to 45 knots in Table Bay, so the race officer wisely prevented all yachts from leaving the harbor. All competitors headed to the pub for a social evening.

Saturday racing was scheduled to start at 10h00, and the race committee was spot on. Three races were scheduled for the day, which were very well organized.

Saldanha Bay Yacht Club was represented by Esmeralda, the L26 in Class “C”. Sailing on Esmeralda was Bernard Farmer, Ettiene van Zyl, Andre Ritter and Tristan Bews. There were 10 entries in Class C, consisting of a few Muira’s, Van der Stadt’s and two L26’s.

The races were made up of either windward/leeward or triangles. Sailing conditions were great with light winds of 10 to 12 knots, building up in the afternoon to 15.

Esmeralda was off to a fantastic start, winning the first race by a good margin. In the second she got a second and finished the day with a disappointing 5^th. This was after a bad start and getting caught between the bigger boats.

After the first day’s racing, Class C was led by Team Escape, with the other L26, Esmeralda, in second position.

On Sunday only one race was sailed, with the second abandoned due to the wind dying at the last leeward mark. The first race was again dominated by the L26’s with very light winds. Team Escape beating Esmeralda by 60 seconds.

Class C was won by Team Escape from RCYC, with the Saldanha Bay entry Esmeralda in second position.

It was great to see a number of Saldanha Bay faces on various boats and in different classes. In the IRC division, Ray of Light participated with Heidi and Michael Kavanagh sailing the Cape Townbased yacht. Also onboard were Andrew Bews and Leonie Nel. Ray of Light struggled in a very competitive field with a lack of experience in vital positions. They did manage to improve as the regatta progressed. Also sailing at the regatta was Anton Nel. He was on the Muira, Phantom, owned by Tom Connell. They sailed in Class 2 and managed a 6^th place in Class 2.

All competing yachts received a trophy, with the first 3 finishes winning additional trophies.

For the detailed results, please see the RCYC website.

If you have not done this event in the past, try it next year. You will not be disappointed! The RCYC and Lord Laidlaw went out of their way to make it a most enjoyable event! He has also committed to sponsoring this event again next year!

The 27^th running of the Langebaan Dash was held on the 14^th January. The organizers would like to record their thanks to the members of the Saldanha Bay Yacht Club for their support once again. Started as a fund raising event for the building of the Beach Sailing Club premises, in recent years the proceeds have been divided between the club and their two beneficiaries, the NSRI and the St Helena Sandveld Hospice who each received a donation of R 9 000 this year. From the very first race, SBYC members have provided their yachts as turning marks and assisted with rescue.

The first event attracted around 50 windsurfers, and the winner of the Sea Harvest shield had to do well in two races sailed on consecutive days, the dash from Langebaan to Saldanha and the long distance race from Saldanha around Schaap Island and back to the beach at the club house. Over the years, the event grew to an entry of 220 windsurfers, and the long distance race has been discontinued but with the reduced interest in windsurfing, later entries were nearer the 50 mark. The new sport of kiting introduced a new dimension of competition, and the highest entry was 316 a few years ago. Kiters have won the event twice, but in the last three events, the windsurfers have shown the better turn of speed.

The original dash course was a giant slalom around three marks over a distance of 17 km. The record for the old course was 18 minutes set by Cape Town star Peter Slate. Of the locals,Marlon Weibel won the race twice, but in recent years professionals from Europe have generally taken the honours. For the last three years, the course was extended to 20 km rounding four marks. Winners time is usually around 23 minutes, with the last finishers around an hour later. The feeling of the event has always been a relaxed one where families can enter and see how they do against the best in the world. Many competitors have entered over and over since the first race and the event is thought to be the biggest kite and windsurf event in the world. Safety is always a major concern with 260 entries this year scattered over a 20 km course, there were 10 rescue boats and air support. Without the SBYC, there would be no race and the local support of all has been greatly valued.

Saldanha Bay Yacht Club

invites members and friends to a talk by the author Rob Fridjhon on his recently published book Caterpillar Seas.

Saturday 3^rd March at 7pm

This will be followed by a light meal. R50 per person.

 Hear of his adventures and perils first hand. Autographed copies available at special SBYC price of R180.

Booking essential: Diana 083 412 3740 or Sharon 082 828 5043 by 1^st March.

 In 1973, a young South African named Robert Fridjhon stole a yacht in Hawaii and set out to cross the Pacific solo during hurricane season. He had become involved with Russian gangsters inLos Angelesand witnessed a crime, putting his life in danger and forcing him to flee.

 In Caterpillar Seas, Fridjhon tells his dramatic story for the first time. He describes the perils that he faced at sea: caught in violent storms, trapped in the doldrums with dwindling supplies, losing his mainmast and running aground on a reef, as well as contracting scurvy and fever. He recalls the months of solitude and despair, and describes his encounters with remote Pacific islanders and his return to civilisation inFiji, where the consequences of his crime would catch up with him.

Compelling, entertaining and written with the insight of an experienced sailor,CaterpillarSeasis an astonishing tale of adventure, endurance and courage.

Rob Fridjhon grew up inSouth Africa and studied at theUniversity ofCape Town before deciding on a life at sea. For the next thirty years he sailed to almost every corner of the globe, working on yachts, ships and fishing vessels. He returned toSouth Africa in 2003 and now lives inCape Town with his wife Hanrie, stepson Josh and adopted daughter Sebenzile. He doesn’t miss sailing at all.

A compelling account of adventure and endurance. I read it in one sitting.

– Mike Nicol