Fantastic turn-out, half of all the Cape Town 505's entered the race... two boats! (Amongst 85 odd various other boats) The race is a staggered start(handicapped), so all boats arrive at the other end roughly at the same time. The race organiser (who sails a GP14, I think), who has never seen a 505 (where has he been...), handicapped us (the 505's) between the Mirrors and the Laser Radials! Hey!, I mean I know we sail old boats... Well, that created quite a bit of noise at the skipper's briefing the night before - so the organiser shifted us down to the 49'er. (grin) The next morning (11th), the infamous South Easter was blowing a gusty 25+ knots with a 8 foot sea! (grin, grin). Regardless to say, the 49'er boys did'nt even pitch! I was looking forward to the race, as the course is a close reach to the "weather" mark somewhere in the middle of the bay, and then a fast reach down to Gordon's Bay! (grin, grin, grin). The organiser was getting increasingly nervous and eventually cancelled the race as the lasers were leaving, with the wind a VERY gusty 30+ knots :-(
What a letdown!
Rick Nankin (from North Sails) provided some entertainment when he decided to sail his ISO...he capsized 40 feet from the ramp between a rock and a hard place (concrete jetty) - much to the amusement of
many beer waving sailors on shore!
As this is a annual event, perhaps we can promote the 505 at next year's event when a 505 wins! (we will, especially with another generous handicap)
Bernard also provided another jpg of a 505
I hope this provides a laugh!
PS. Does anyone have mpg's of 505's sailing?
Adios
Bernard Voges
SA 4553
Cape Town SA
bee@gem.co.za
