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.