The Great Circle Race is the one that ABYC sailors talk and reminisce the most about. As the only regular overnight race on the calendar some of the trips have reached almost mythical proportions with stories of 14 hour beats to Bird Island followed by 4 hour sleigh rides back on the crest of huge waves in 30 knots plus with spinnakers straining and regular broaches keeping the crew awake.

Friday 14 May saw 5 yachts out of the entered six leave the Port Elizabeth Harbour at various times to round St Croix and Bird Island to port and then dash for the finish line between the Bell Buoy and the Summerstrand Beacon.

With the weather predictions showing some decent breeze starting at 6:00 p.m. and then fading halfway into the morning, disappearing for a good few hours and then swinging to bring the boats home, with hindsight it would have been far better to leave at 6:00 p.m. despite the naysayers dire predictions of another night in a 'washing machine'!

First to leave was Fling at 21:08, followed by Conbrio at 21:37, Lady at 21:38, Wattoo at 21:42 and Struan at 21:56 with Seralon opting to stay at home.

Sean Wiseman, Russel Morgan, Mike van Wyk, Johan Herselman and Daryn Kretschsmann manned the base station, regularly polling the yachts for positions and plotting them as they were received.

One boat (that shall remain nameless, but the swopping of a couple of crisp R200.00 notes could persuade me to tell!) decided to pop in to the Colchester Garage (to fill up with diesel?) and, when they were told that their position was 'kinda impossible' promptly gave their new co-ordinates, which were then plotted as them crossing the Sunday's River Bridge (just what did the garage put in their diesel?).

With the dropping breeze and 2.5 to 3 metre swells impeding progress towards Bird Island the boats started dropping out at 01:28 with the last retiree, Conbrio, calling it a day at 07:30 in the morning.

This left Struan still in the race.

The positions of yachts in the Great Circle Race.

From the race report by Derek Bouwer:

"Most of the fleet opted to go inshore toward Bird Island while Struan chose off shore hoping to reach to the Island early in the morning.

With the wind dying the long haul to the Island became a cat and mouse game between sail settings and the wind. The Light conditions took their toll as boats retired with sea sick crew.

At first light and in 2 knots of breeze Bird Island light house could be discerned in the mist.

We found a small 7 knot land breeze at 06:00 but this only lasted till 07:00, dumping us off Bird Island between Seal Rock and North Patch. There we drifted painfully slow at times registering 900 feet over the ground in 1.5 hours. While we watched a chopper ferry provisions to the Bird Island research team. The discussion started should we retire or not? It was decided that it was just as far to get back after retiring as to go around and finish the course. Clinging to the buoy weather forecast of 7-11knots of SE'ter at 14:00, we waited! Keeping a weary eye on the breaking North patch!!

For once the forecast was right at about 13:50 the South Easter came up and soon we where chomping around Bird Island giving East patch, Doddington and Whale rocks a wide berth. With them out the way it was a gull-wing sleigh ride, off the wind, home. Where earlier we had registered 900f in 1.5 hours now we registered at one time a 11.4 knot surf down the back of a swell. Trying to find the Bell buoy in the dark against the background of lights ashore became our next mission, problem solved when the bell was heard, on our Starboard side, we rounded and finish at 20:50.

Back to the club to a cold beer and a welcome from the Vice Commodore sailing (Shaun thanks it was much appreciated). Then home to sleep, fully clothed boots the lot."

The winning boat received R1000.00 from the pocket of Sean Wiseman.

Struan's winning track

And the cryptic "Chicks Rule"?

Struan's crew included a woman AND the last boat to retire, Conbrio also included a woman on the crew list, whilst all the other boats had only gung ho men onboard - FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

The winning Struan crew: Derek Bouwer, Joan Barry, Chad Jackson, Pierre-Louie Lethiercier and Tiaan Pieterse.

The recent ABYC Week 2010 was sponsored by;

• Ahoy Boutique Hotel
• E. Rohrmoser
• Wiseman Property Trust
• Builders Warehouse
• Russell Morgan
• Fincham Oil
• Meridian Wines

The results were compiled by Eugene Lombard as follows:

PHRF:

These are the results purely based on measurement handicap.

We did not have the measurement details for all the boats, so some of the handicaps allocated were purely based on an educated guess.

We need to put a team together to measure the boats in question, displacement being the difficult parameter but some has been weighed during the lift in and out exercise.

CLUB:

This result was based on adjusting each boat's handicap after each race. The adjusted handicap was based on the handicap achieved in the previous race.

This result really reflects the most consistent boats, with the best improvement during the regatta, rather than positions achieved based on a specific handicap.

AVERAGED:

These result was based on the averaging of each boat's achieved handicap over all six races.

This could only be done after the completion of the regatta and could not be used as a result for the regatta.

The handicaps used in this set of results are however the most realistic and could be used as the starting base for future regattas where a club handicap will be used.

DOWNLOAD the results:

• PHRF (PDF - 173 259 kilobytes)
• Club (PDF - 143 797 kilobytes)
• Averaged (PDF - 174 157 kilobytes)

NOTICE OF RACE - ALGOA BAY WEEK 2010, HOSTED BY ALGOA BAY YACHT CLUB

Including
CLASS I (ABYC Rating) & Cruising Class (No Spinnaker)

Notice is hereby given that the above sailing event is scheduled to take place as detailed in this Notice of Race. Entries are invited in terms of this Notice.

DATES
Saturday 24th of April to Tuesday 27th of April 2010 both dates inclusive.

VENUE
ALGOA BAY YACHT CLUB, directions to which may be obtained from the Regatta Secretary.

ORGANISING AUTHORITY

The Algoa Bay Yacht Club under the auspices of South African Sailing Eastern Cape.

CLASSES

1. Class I ABYC RATING
2. Cruising Class ( No Spinnaker)

RULES

The Regatta will be governed by:
1. The 'Rules' as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) of the International Sailing Association Federation (ISAF) 2009- 2012 subject to any permissible changes made in terms of this Notice.
2. The Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS) 2005 - 2009
3. The Class Rules for competing Classes
4. This Notice of Race.
5. The SA Sailing Safety Checklist for Pleasure Vessels dated 6 April 2004 inclusive of the SAS Recommended Essential Additions - Category D.
6. The IR2000 Rules, Parts 1, 2 and 3 for IRC Class competitors - (if IRC being contested)
7. The Sailing Instructions and any amendments thereto

ADVERTISING

Category C will apply to all classes in terms of the ISAF advertising code RRS Section II Regulation 20. Advertising of a company or a product which, at the sole discretion of the Organising Committee, is in direct or indirect competition with a sponsoring company or any sponsor's product marketed by them, shall not be permitted.

ELIGIBILITY

The regatta is open to all boats meeting the requirements for Class I & Cruising Class (where applicable)

MEASUREMENT or REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES

Each competing yacht shall hold a valid Class Measurement or Registration Certificate. In the event of a competing yacht having a foreign Registration, a valid Measurement or Registration Certificate shall be presented at Registration. Competitors in the IRC classes must produce an original, current IRC Measurement Certificate at time of registration. Failing to do so will result in them being scored on ABYC rating only.

ENTRIES

Entries must be completed on the attached official entry form and submitted together with the required entry fee to the Regatta Secretary at the address below. Telephonic or incomplete entries will not be accepted. Eligible entries will be accepted until the close of Registration at the venue. Refer to the clause "Registration" below. Entries submitted at the venue may be accepted if accompanied by all relevant documentation demanded by this Notice of Race along with proof of eligibility.

Entry fees per yacht will be as detailed below, received no later than 19H00 on 23rd April 2010 at the venue.

All Classes R400.00 per boat having a total complement of 4 or less (inclusive of the skipper).

Regatta Secretary's Address:

Postal: PO Box 1034, Port Elizabeth, 6000
Street: Dom Pedro Jetty, Port Elizabeth Harbour, 6001
Tel : 041-5854058
Fax : 041-5860095
Email: management@abyc.org.za
Web Site: www.abyc.org.za
Office hours: 14h00 to 16h00

PAYMENT OF ENTRY FEES

Payment may be made by cash, cheque or bank deposit to the credit of the account detailed below.
In the case of deposits made to the said bank account, the bank stamped deposit slip or the printed electronic transaction slip and the completed entry form shall be either mailed or transmitted by fax simultaneously to the Regatta Secretary. The deposit document shall state the event and entrants name.

Bank Account details
Account name: Development Sailing
Bank and Branch: Nedbank Walmer
Branch code: 121517
Account No.: 1263074731

All Entry Fees and Class subscriptions shall be paid prior to the close of Entries and Registration. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the affected yacht being recorded as 'Did Not Compete' until such time as the required payment/s are made. This changes Rule A11 (DNC).

ENTRY FORMS

Additional entry forms are available on request from the Regatta Secretary.

SCRUTINY OF EQUIPMENT

Official SA Sailing measurers may scrutinise any competing yacht for compliance with the Class Rules.

REGISTRATION

Entries shall be confirmed by registration with the Regatta Secretary at the venue commencing from 12:00 till 19:00 on Friday the 23rd April 2010.

The following documents may be requested at Registration:

1. Current yacht club membership card;
2. Class membership receipt or other proof of membership, if applicable;
3. Measurement or registration certificate;
4. SAS Membership Card
5. It is recommended that proof of Skipper's qualification be available should it be required.
6. Current Safety Certificate.

Competitors and their crew, whose names do not appear on the relevant official Class Membership list or SAS membership list for the current year as having paid the annual Class / SAS subscription fee for the period, shall pay the prescribed Class / SAS Temporary Membership fee before registration. Where proof of payment of Class / SAS Fees is not available, a competitor shall pay the required Class / SAS Temporary fee to the Regatta Secretary and the amount will be refunded if proof of prior payment is submitted to the Regatta Secretary within 30 days of the commencement of the event.

All fees shall be paid before the closing of entries. Refer to the paragraph "Payment of Entry Fees" above.

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Sailing instructions will be available from the Regatta Secretary at the regatta venue upon registration.

CREW

Yachts shall sail with the no. of crew submitted at registration. Any changes must be submitted in writing to the Race Committee for approval by 09:00 on the day of race.

EQUIPMENT

Equipment shall not be changed during the event. The Race Committee may permit substitution of damaged equipment subject to receipt of a written application.

SCHEDULE OF RACES

The First Race of the Regatta is scheduled to start not before 10h00 on Saturday 24th April 2010 for all classes.
The time for subsequent races will be posted on the regatta notice board, except where back to back races are signalled.
No races will be started if the wind speed is above a constant 30 knots from the west or a constant 25 knots from the East, as determined by the Race Officer.
No warning signal will be made after 14:00 on the last day of racing.

RACING AREA AND COURSES

The courses to be sailed will be set out in the Sailing Instructions.

HAULING OUT RESTRICTIONS

Yachts shall not be hauled out after the scheduled starting time of the first race except in accordance with the terms the Race Committee that may permit, subject to receipt of a written application.

SAFETY

Attention of all competitors is drawn to the paragraph headed "RULES" above. All competing yachts shall abide by the provisions contained therein. It shall be the responsibility of the Skipper of each competing yacht, along with a designated crew member, to inspect his/her yacht for compliance with all appropriate rules. A Safety Declaration, signed by the Skipper and designated crew member, confirming the yacht's compliance, is to be handed in at the time of Registration. Yachts must comply with the SAS Regulations or Class Rules for an organised event. Random safety checks may be conducted on all classes during the course of the Regatta. VHF radios capable of communication on Channels 12, 16 & 71 shall be monitored at all times whilst competitors are away from moorings throughout the event.

SCORING SYSTEM

The low points scoring system, RRS A4 will apply:

Eight races are scheduled to be sailed, consisting of navigational, windward-leeward and windward-leeward-triangle courses.
If four (4) races are completed all races shall count and constitute a regatta.
When five (5) or more races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores excluding one (1) discarded race score.

PRIZES & AWARDS

Prizes and awards will be presented at the prize giving which will follow as soon as possible after the last race.

Class floating trophies may be awarded as follows in accordance with the stated criteria;

1. Line honours trophy
2. First in Class I
3. First in Cruising Class
4. Other prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the Race Committee in consultation with the Race Sponsors, including prizes for development sailors based on their performance at this event.

LIABILITY

Participation in this event is entirely at the risk of competitors and no responsibility for damage or injury resulting there from will rest with the Organising Authority, Class Associations, Sponsors or any persons concerned with the conduct of the regatta.

On Saturday a small but keen group of dinghy sailors gathered to sail the ABYC Summer Regatta. With a forcast for strong westerly wind it was decided to set the course in the harbour. Three races were held in winds of 15 to 20 knots until the wind began to strengthen and the fleet returned to the club for lunch.

Sunday promised to be a fantastic day for sailing with winds of 10 to 15 knots. Another four races were sailed with the starts being hotly contested and mark roundings testing sailors knowledge of the racing rules. Unfortunately David Moorcroft, sailing a 470, received a nasty gash on each of his legs after a spectacular capsize and had to retire during race 5 to receive stitches.

The final results were as follows with first and second places being decided on number of firsts:

1. Jim Foot (Laser Radial)
2. Jesse Martin (Optimist)
3. Andrew Bosworth (Extra)

Jim Foot (1st)	Jesse Martin (2nd)	Andrew Bosworth (3rd)

Thanks go to Ronnie Baer for running the bridge, Alan Straton for scoring, Eugene Lombard for skippering our new Bridge boat, Chad Jackson for the safety boat and Sean Wiseman and Darryl Garner for assisting on the bridge. We also welcome Nick, Steven, Andrew and Jessica on the Sprogs we hope you will enjoy visiting our club again in the future.

It is a pity that more dinghy sailors in Port Elizabeth do not see that racing at ABYC with competent and responsible race officials is safe and clean.

More Images from the Regatta HERE.

Report by Andrew Bosworth.

From 2 to 4 April and in conjunction with Port Elizabeth's annual Splash Festival, the Algoa Bay Yacht Club will be holding a Splash Fun Regatta, including a 505 regatta.

The 505 class will be governed by their own notice of race.

ABYC hereby gives notice that the above sailing event is scheduled to take place as detailed in this Notice of Race. Entries are invited in terms of this Notice.

Download the Splash Fun Regatta NOR.

The ABYC Summer Dinghy Regatta will be sailed on the weekend of the 27th, 28th March 2010 out of the ABYC Yacht club.

NOTICE OF RACE

1. ORGANISING AUTHORITY

The Algoa Bay Yacht Club

2. RULES

2.1 The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in the RacingRules of Sailing (RRS) 2009/2012.
2.2 Boats participating in this regatta shall conform to the Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS),their respective Class this Notice of Race, and
the Sailing Instructions.

3. ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY

3.1 In accordance with the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Regulation 19 (Eligibility Code), all competitors (helmspersons and all other crew) shall be members in good standing of a Yacht Club affiliated to and in good standing with SA Sailing or their Member National Authority in the case of non-South Africans. The Yacht Club name and membership details shall be stated on the entry form or crew list. Current valid South African Sailing Membership Cards or similar proof of MNA Membership in cases of non-South Africans shall be presented at Registration.
3.2 The regatta is open to all Classes
3.3 Eligible boats may enter on Saturday before racing from 9am until half an hour before the first race at ABYC.
3.4 Entry Fee; R10 per person

4. CLASSIFICATION

The ISAF Sailor Classification Code, Regulation 22 shall apply.

5. SCHEDULE

Saturday: Registration from 9am. First race will not start before 11.00am.
Sunday: 1st race will not start before 10.00am
Results will be read out after last race at A.B.Y.C

6. NUMBER OF RACES

Saturday - possibly 4
Sunday - no more than 4
4 races will constitute a regatta.

7. MEASUREMENTS

Each boat shall produce a valid measurement / rating certificate. In addition spot measurements may be taken at any stage during the regatta.

8. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Sailing Instructions will be available from the Regatta Secretary on completion of registration formalities.

9. VENUE

Racing will take place in Algoa Bay weather dependant, otherwise in the harbour.

10. COURSES

The Courses will be posted on the notice board.

11. PENALTY SYSTEM

For all catamaran classes Rule 44.1 is changed so that the Two-Turns Penalty is replaced by the One-Turn Penalty.

12. SCORING

12.1 The Low Point System of Appendix A4.1 will apply.
12.2 Four races are required to be completed to constitute a series.
12.3 (a) When fewer than 5 races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores.
(b) When from 5 to 9 races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.

13. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See rule 4, Decision to Race. Neither the Organizing Authority nor it's officials or other persons associated with the organization of the event will accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta

14. INSURANCE

Each participating boat is encouraged to be insured with a valid third party liability insurance recommended to have a minimum cover of R1,000,000-00 per event or the equivalent. Should insurance not be carried, the offending party must be prepared to pay for damages incurred

15. SAFETY

There will be support boats to assist the sailors. Life jackets must be worn at all times.

16. FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information please contact David Moorcroft on 0833710152 or Jason Schaeffer on 0791806348 or Andrew Bosworth on 0836378000

Sunday, 22 February was scheduled for a fun race to St Croix Island and back.

With a 50 knot Westerly blowing there were only three yachts that ventured out to the harbour start line; Warrior, Con Brio and Oddysea.

The yachts seemed to take an inordinately long time deciding on sail configuration and we could just imagine the conversations;
Skipper; "Three reefs in the main"
Gung Ho Crewmember; "One Reef and we will just play the main!" (Yea right - play the main on a 62 footer, are you out of your mind!)

Eventually Warrior decided on sailing on the jib alone, Oddysea and Con Brio set out with three reefs and a handkerchief for a jib. All three steamed out with spray flying, and we settled down to enjoy our Chartroom Restaurant breakfasts - an American for the Longhair and a Dutch for myself. Even in the howling wind we were still able to sit on the deck and enjoy a leisurely breakfast.

Well, our food didn't even get time to go cold and we saw Warrior returning to the harbour, followed closely by Oddysea and Con Brio. Obviously they all decided that it would be far greater fun to sail the Teak Reef back at the ABYC Bar than be pounded in 50 knot winds and 3 metre swells. Wise men these sailors, wise men!

Or, they could have been racing back to The Chartroom for the Marlin Steak Lunch on offer?

No matter - with all the boats back on moorings safe and sound I am sure that the visitors had a good store of war stories to tell about their 30 minutes in the wild seas of Algoa Bay.

This Sunday, 21 February will see ABYC race off to St Croix and back.

The skippers briefing is at 9:00 a.m. and the start is scheduled for 10:oo a.m.

On Saturday 6 March the Radio Controlled racers will be staging a mini regatta and a course will be laid for the dinghies to race on.

On the evening of 6 March I believe that the Stomp will be making a return to ABYC.

On 7 March you are invited to a Fun Race (On your yacht duffus, not in the pub!).
Skippers at 10:00 a.m. and start at 11:00 a.m.

Prepare yourselves for the Easter Weekend as the 505's will be racing and young Kerry will be organising a course for the cruisers as well.

Regular (as in sailing!) old Wednesday Salts will remember the Pinnacle Micro Wednesday Evening sailing events with great fondness as they always provide many willing bodies wanting to bob on the briny, loads of giggles and some spectacular partying. The computer networks around Port Elizabeth have been known to slow down and run on fumes on the following Thursday as a result of the assorted geeks and geekettes celebrating Hump Day with a vengance.

The annual Pinnacle Micro Wednesday Sailing event hits ABYC once again on 17 February. Pinnacle clients wishing to sail will arrive at the club at 17h00. The chickens will arrive from 18h00

What a pity Cooking is not back in the water. We remember taking some 'Pinnacle Poppies' out in a stiff breeze which knocked us over onto our side dragging our guests along for a bit of 'half submerged swimming'. Only one came back for more, the rest scuttled off to get changed into dry clothes never to be seen again - What FUN!

Eats and drinks are being provided for invited guests and sailors along with live music and a mystery prize.

In the past Pinnacle have brought in excess of 100 guests to what has become a much anticipated event.

So, this is a clarion call to all boat owners to make themselves and their boats available on 17 February.

Sailing at Algoa Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) had gone into recession thanks to the October Storm damage to the marina. But you can't keep a good thing down for long.

Sunday the 7th February saw 12 ABYC keel boats and 3 dinghies muster on the start line for the first official race since the marina disaster.

Once the shipping movement was complete the race committee started the reverse pursuit race (all start together and sail out on a set course, after a set time all turn around and sail to the finish. Your speed or lack thereof is your handicap).

The start of the race showed the lack of practice as the first boat was 15 seconds late and the last just over 3 minutes late (they were fined 1 carry pack of beers for the late start) The wind was the predicted SE 8 knots, the course St Croix Island. The fleet left the harbour in a stately procession, what a great sight, all heading out to sea. The conditions changed very slightly as the wind swung slightly into the South South East still between 5-8 knots. Exactly one hour after the start the sailing commodore gave the radio instruction to "turn and come back home".

For all those having lunch in the restaurant they had more than their fair share of the wonderful ambience the ABYC Restaurant offers. 14 yachts sailed to the finish line right at the entrance to the moorings and all within 10 minutes. Some boats were "dicing" to the finish. It was quite spectacular to have 3 boats finish seconds apart on a 50 meter long finish line.

First home were the old men of the sea on Maricia, followed by Spirit of Gardiol, then together Con Brio, and the 470 Dinghy 222 and Fuzzy Bosworth on an Xtra, They were followed by Talisker, High Spirit, Whisper, Jouster, Aon, Bonita, Sea Mole, La Chevalier. Odessy did not cross the line as they were concerned about the constraints the line posed on such big boat (they would have been third). A very big thank you goes to Odessy for hosting the students from Rhodes University Sailing Club for the week end.

The prize giving was held on the balcony, the prizes being sponsored beers. Amid much mirth and hilarity beers were awarded and confiscated (due to late start) and couple of booby prizes were awarded.

The consensus was that it was a great fun event, all got to the pub together and most of all it was great to be sailing again. It was such a great day that Aquabrat didn't finish the race, they went on sailing (they said it was too good out in the bay).

Philip Stunden