The 2024 Shane’s Gaul Regatta, hosted by Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club (GBYC) from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 August, saw the isiVunguvungu MSC Foundation for Youth claim overall victory.
The Simon’s Town-based development team, led by co-skippers Kenwin Daniels and Marcello Burricks, took victory in every single race aboard the L26 Donna Mia.
Second place overall was taken by the 2023 champion skipper, Nico van Wieringen, aboard the L34 Morgenster. He took five second places and one third. The overall third place was taken by another L26, Cape Columbine, entered by Defence Yacht Club.
The top three yachts took the podium positions for all six races, leaving the rest of the field far behind. Donna Mia’s pace at the front was so quick that many yachts from fourth place back fell foul of timing rules, where yachts are not classified unless they finish within a certain time percentage from the winning boat. The problem became so acute that race officials made a retrospective amendment to the rules to allow for more boats to be classified.
The pace at the front of the field showed how invaluable racing experience is, irrespective of handicapping systems designed to equalise the fleet. All three podium skippers have extensive short course racing experience, as well as experience on dinghies.
The Sailing Academy GB entry Wild Goose finished fourth overall, with the Holiday 34 Bowelyon finishing fifth. This meant that the top five finishers were all yachts designed by Angelo Lavranos. The Van der Stadt-designed RCOD Suid Oos II finished sixth.
The winner of the cruising class was Sean Greer, aboard the Sadler 32 Alice. Another Sailing Academy GB entrant, the Sadler 26 Southern Cross, took the second podium position in the cruising division.
Ashore, the social scene was well-supported. In addition to the rugby, GBYC hosted live music.
The club thanked title sponsor, Shane’s @ 99 on Beach, for their continued support of sailing in the Helderberg. The club also welcomed Apple Tool and Gas company as a new sponsor, who donated numerous prizes and hosted a boating-related stall at the event. South African Sailing also assisted with financial support.
Shane’s @ 99 on Beach and an anonymous donor made it possible for a donation to be given to the Bizweni Centre for Children with Disabilities.
