The L20 yacht Time Out, skippered by Philippe Pringiers, took an emphatic victory in the first round of the Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club’s (GBYC) MDL Logistics Medium Distance series on Sunday (27 March). It was a perfect start in his defence of the GBYC Medium Distance Trophy, which he won in 2021.
Held in tricky light wind conditions, Pringiers crossed the line second, having taken just over three hours to sail the 10 nautical-mile course. His time was good enough, however, to claim victory on handicap over the L26 Go Dutch, skippered by Nico van Wieringen. Van Wieringen had to settle for line honours and second place on handicap.
The start was held in near-still conditions, with Zia (single-handed by Barry Ross) taking the early lead. Zia was soon overhauled, with Equation (co-skippered by Richard and Edmund Tough) emerging as the early favourite.
However, it was to prove a tricky day for both Equation and Zia.
The Tough team would eventually have to settle for third overall, having damaged a spinnaker during a downwind run.
Zia compounded an early tactical error with mistakes hoisting the spinnaker, and had to settle for fifth, only a minute and a half from fourth place after four hours of racing.
Fourth place overall was claimed by the only medium cruiser to complete the course, the Carter 33 Pula skippered by Piet Henning.
It was a tough day for the 31 ft Miura class, with both Plumbob (skippered by Kevin Black) and Umoya (skippered by Loubser Pepler) retiring from the race.
GBYC would like to extend its thanks to Brad Roe on the Committee Boat Viking, as well as race officer Carol Ferguson and the rest of the bridge team, for assisting in timekeeping, adjudication and setting up the course. GBYC also thanks local rope supply partner MDL Logistics for sponsoring the event, and supporting sailing in the Helderberg region.
The next sail racing event is the six-round Mandrie Marine Services Autumn Series, to be held on 10 and 24 April. For more on sailing at GBYC, contact the manager Eleonore Bondesio on 021 856 3263 orgbyc@gbyc.co.za.
