Durban’s summer sailing season kicks off
It’s summer sailing season in Durban and it’s going off with a bang.
The Twilight Series kicks off today, Wednesday, January 15, launching the summer sailing season after a month-long festive break.
Durban sailors have an eventful calendar ahead leading up to the annual MSC Week in July.
Traditionally, the Durban harbour is a colourful affair with a large fleet stretching their legs with a few laps in a short race set with the backdrop of the larger ships moored in the bay.
Point Yacht Club is hosting five more Wednesday night sailings remaining in this season, said Sophie Thompson of Elf Works, Publicity Matters.
“The first offshore race will be the annual Congella Series with the yacht club organising some action-packed Sail GP type racing around the cans offshore of Durban. The first day of the Congella Series is on Sunday, January 26, with the two-part series concluding on Sunday, January 23. Defending champion, Kevin Rainer and his crew on the L26, Tequilla Sunrise are having a cracker of a season, finishing first in the keeler division of the annual international Bart’s Bash regatta. Rainer is a regular top performing competitor, featuring often on the podium,” said Ms Thompson.
She added that the more adventurous yachties can test their long-distance skills with an overnight ‘there-and-back’ race taking place on the evening of the March 1.
The Tugela Overnight Race will start around sunset with the pack charging off to a turning point either up or down the coast, depending on the weather, then making a U-turn and racing back to the finish line.
April’s calendar will be taken up by the upcoming Mirror Worlds Championship being hosted by Point Yacht Club.
The final event for the 2024/25 Summer Sailing Season before the annual MSC Week, is the Sunshine Series on Sunday May 18 and Sunday June 22.
“Nearing 50 years since its inception, the MSC Week that began in 1976 is five days of offshore yachting at its finest in Durban’s magnificent winter conditions. The dates for this year’s highly anticipated event are from Monday to Friday, July 7 to 11, with the warm up in-bay Commodore’s Cup taking place on Sunday, July 6,” said Ms Thompson.
Concluding the year, the opportunity for the top-tier sailors to represent the yacht club in the prestigious Lipton Challenge Cup, which will be taking place in Cape Town from August 26 to 30. The esteemed challenge began in 1911.
Any member of the public wanting to try their hand at sailing can get in touch with the Rear Commodore of Keelers, Anthony Howes.
The ‘Bums on Boats’ initiative invites anyone wanting to learn the ropes, and the opportunity to fall in love with this exciting water sport. Mr Howes will match up the willing participant with a competitive yacht that races on Wednesday nights.
For more info, visit www.pyc.co.za or contact 031 301 4787.
