The Northvaal Provincials were held at the East Rand Yacht Club on the 27^th/28^th October. These were held in conjunction with the East Rand Open Regatta. A total of 54 boats turned up consisting roughly of 14 GP14’s [also their Provincial Champs], 12 Lasers [GP3], 11 Mirrors, 8 Oppies, 4 Gypsies, 2 505’s, 2 Enterprises and an ISO.

In the Mirror fleet, East Rand was represented by Robert Edwards and Brett de Jager, Robert Dann and Curtis Martin, Tom McGrath sailing solo, Kyle Harvey and Dustin Sanders. (Dustin is a Jetski Champ who decided to try his hand at something more exciting).

The Robinson’s arrived from Boskop. Ricky and Brennan made up one team, with sister Catherine and Sean Van Rensburg sailing one of the Edwards boats to make up the other Robinson team. Pre-race day discussions definitely had Ricky and Brennan as favourites to win if the wind blew hard.

Emmarentia Sailing Club was represented by Dave Marshall and Brett Thomas, Tony Lane and Hettie Viljoen, Dabby sailor Craig De la Hunt with dad Dave De la Hunt (a Laser sailor) crewing for him. In a fleet dominated by junior teams and with the absence of Paul Haglich, who flew to the States on Saturday, Dave Marshall was the over 40’s big hope.

Lorenzo Haglich and the most mischievous teenager I have ever met, Marko Doria, sailed for Southern Cross Sailing Club.

Stadt 23 sailor, Andrew Brown keen to introduce his daughter Jessica to dinghy sailing, borrowed one of Mike Dann’s Mirrors. This made up a fleet of 11 Mirrors consisting of 6 junior teams and 5 adult/adult junior teams.

The Mirrors showed their enthusiasm by being first on the water. Saturday’s racing was in light winds with the wind switching quite badly. I thought this would suit the local boats, but the Robinson boys sailed well to win the first race, followed by Robert and Brett, Dave Marshall in third spot and first time Mirror sailors Kyle Harvey and Dustin taking fourth position.

Over 40 solo sailor, Tom McGrath sailed brilliantly in race 2 and lead from start to finish. He was well ahead of the 2^nd/3^rd/4^th tussle. Robert and Brett were comfortably in second position but seemed to find a hole halfway up the finishing leg. This allowed the Robinson boys and Craig de la Hunt to sail past them. Robert/Brett eventually managed to get going again and just pipped the de la Hunts across the line. These three boats finished within 2 seconds of each other. Saturday’s racing finished with the Robinson’s leading followed by Robert/Brett two points behind. Catherine/Sean and Tom McGrath were lying joint third.

Rain dampened the festivities on Saturday night, but Mike Dann still managed to prepare a lamb on the spit, which he timed to perfection as it was ready to eat as the Currie Cup finished. After the meal the sailors started drifting off which left the hard core who had decided to camp over. In true East Rand tradition, they decided to watch the sun rise on Sunday morning (ha ha !!).

Sunday morning was overcast but ideal sailing conditions prevailed. I was sailing a Laser [3^rd start] and was able to watch the Mirror start [2^nd start] with interest. Robert/Brett decided to start on a port tack, sailing directly down the line, with the rest of the fleet approaching in mass on a starboard tack. This made my hair stand on end. For them disaster loomed. With more luck than skill Robert/Brett timed their start to perfection. As the gun sounded they hardened up and sailed straight across the approaching fleet. They lead from start to finish followed closely by Lorenzo/Marko.

These two boats were well ahead of Ricky and Brennan in third position. Craig de la Hunt, coming to terms with the Mirror, finished fourth.

Race 4 saw Robert/Brett and Lorenzo/Marko on a port tack again. This seemed to pay off with Lorenzo leading around the weather mark. Lorenzo lead the race up until the last 50 metres with Robert pushing hard. Unluckily Lorenzo was just pipped across the line by Robert/Brett. Robert/Curtis sailed well to finish third with Craig and Dave de la Hunt finishing fourth.

With ideal sailing conditions it was decided to squeeze in a last race before the 13h00 cut off. Craig/Dave de la Hunt were first around the weather mark closely followed by Robert/Brett and Dave Marshall/Brett Thomas. A ding dong battle ensued for first place with the lead changing consistently. Craig de la Hunt came through to finish first. Craig seemed to get faster and faster with every race. An attempt has already been made to persuade him to sail in the Nationals. Robert/Brett finished second giving them overall first position. Dave Marshall/Brett Thomas finished third.

Some close competition was enjoyed with 4 different winners out of 5 races.

Overall placing had junior teams in first and second place, Craig/Dave de la Hunt [Father/Son Son helming] third place with juniors Lorenzo/Marko finishing fourth.

 Final results were as follows:

Robert Edwards/Brett de Jager 1
Ricky and Brendon Robinson 2
Craig/Dave De la Hunt 3
Lorenzo Haglich/ Marko Doria 4
Dave Marshall/Bret Thomas 5
Robert Dann/Curtis Martin 6
Robinson/Van Rensburg 7
Tom McGrath 8
Kyle Harvey/Dustin Sanders 9
Tony Lane/Hettie Viljoen 10
Andrew Brown/Jessica 11

Report by Andrew Edwards.
mailto:aedward@yebo.co.za