* HUNTER KZN PROVINCIALS
- Saturday 13 to Monday 15 December - HMYC, Midmar Dam


Report now posted under HMYC HUNTER CLASS News below the Nationals report.
 
WISHES TO ALL FOR A HEALTHY 2009.MAY IT BE ALL THAT YOU MAKE IT.

Hunter Nationals 2008
Great fleet of 49 Entries...

View the results here

See images from the regatta here

Hank Pike's race report here

      "SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC" HUNTER CLASS NATIONALS
                                              Friday 21 March to Monday 24 March 2008
                                                       Lake Denys Yacht Club - Vaal Dam
           Forty years of the Hunter Class in South Africa celebrated in a most fitting manner.

Nearly FIFTY of these nineteen foot, two-man keelers gathered at LDYC to enjoy four days of sailing, participating in a well-organise event in wonderful company, generously hosted by the folk of LDYC.

Race Officer Rob McCrystal applied his knowledge of the changeable local conditions to good effect in order to get through a programme of seven races in the four days. His experience prevented the fleet from being subjected to the worst of a typical highveld rain-and-wind storm on one of the mornings and from the frustrations associated with bobbing around on the water in windless conditions on other occasions.

At the end of the third day and after six races ( results including a discard after race five ), the results sheet made for interesting reading with three boats having won races at that stage. A first for the class was a national event race win for the all-girl crew of 'Assegaai', Jessica Lenz/Shellee Potts. Cheers were heard from across the fleet as the girls took the bell at the end of their race. They were well-placed in fifth position at this stage. Not to be outdone was last year's runner-up 'Essex Girl' (Paul Changuion/Matt Fleming) in joint second position as they staked their claim with two wins. In a commanding position at the top of the leaderboard was 'Guesswho?', with John Bruckman/Dave Martinson ( Champions in 2006 and 2007) in sublime form as they captured the lion's share of three first position placings.

Also in second place were 'Monkey' (Alex Schon/Rob Edwards) and 'Vaal Valk' (Herbie Carolius/Keith Vennell) as they sailed consistently at the head of the fleet. In the chasing pack, well-known names of other members of the Hunter class hovered with a chance of top positions .'Odin's Eye' (Tony Cockerill/Hank Pike) and 'Baby Blue' (Craig Millar/Mike Sergeson) had enjoyed mixed fortunes. 'Bad News', skippered by last year's Youth winner Luke Wagner (crewed by Reg Ross), enjoyed improving performances in the later races.

All through the fleet, tussles for position had developed as the many participating boats measured their performance in the event
against their closest rivals. Many a tale will be recounted well into the future on some of the incidents that occurred during the sailing of the seven races of the event. Embellished they most probably will be, and their recounting will be matched only by that of the tales of enjoyment while the fleet was off the water.

On to the final day and the substantial LDYC breakfast witnessed much discussion as to the prospects for the day's racing as the reluctant morning breeze built slowly from the north-east. RO McCrystal had the fleet out to the racing area pretty smartly, ably assisted by members of his mark-laying and support team.

The dying wind had the RO shortening course for what was to be the final race of the national event and the bell signalled a good win for the oldest participating Hunter, 'Odin's Eye' (Tony Cockerill), as she crossed the line ahead of 'Guesswho?' (John Bruckman), 'Monkey' (Alex Schon), 'Baby Blue' (Craig Millar) and 'Bad News' (Luke Wagner).

Incoming chairman of the Hunter class, Alex Schon, conducted the prizegiving. He took the opportunity to thank the LDYC committee and staff for the manner in which the club had organised and hosted the event. Special mention was made of Terrie Pratt and Simon Farrington for the huge effort that they put in to ensuring the resounding success of the event. The Chairman also took the opportunity to remind those present of the exciting proposals for the future growth and development of the Hunter Class.

Overall 'Top Ten' Positions:
                 1. John Bruckman/Dave Martinson -WYAC  ('Guesswho?')
                     National Class Champions three years in succession !
                 2. Alex Schon /Rob Edwards         -LDYC   ('Monkey')
                 3. Herbie Karolius/Keith Vennell     -DAC     ('Vaal Valk')
                 4. Tony Cockerill/Hank Pike           -HMYC  ('Odin's Eye')
                 5. Paul Changuion/Matt Fleming     -HMYC  ('Essex Girl')
                 6. Jessica Lenz/Shellee Potts         -VCA    ('Assegaai')
                 7. Luke Wagner/Reg Ross              -HMYC ('Bad News')
                 8. Craig Millar/Mike Sergeson         - HMYC ('Baby Blue')
                 9. Simon Farrington/Greg Plunkett   - LDYC ('Slippery when Wet')
               10. Lester Johnstone/Kai Ackerman    -LDYC   ('Mickey')

Youth:
                1. Tielman Burger Jnr/Dylan Emmett  - LDYC ('Whirlygig')
                2. Stephen Wagner/William Crockett  -HMYC ('Sarah')

'Reg Beavitt Memorial Trophy'   - Inter club competition:
                                    1. HMYC 'Raiders'
                                    2. LDYC
                                    3. WYAC

Class Chairman's Award      - Service to the Hunter Class
                                     Joint Award - Simon Farrington/Terrie Pratt

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                       HMYC Hunter Class Comms
                                                                                                     By 'sHuCCs' -- 5 January 2009
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CLUB NOTICES / FORTHCOMING EVENTS / DATES TO DIARISE
(check the HMYC general news section on the club website at www.hmyc.org.za for more details)

THE 'TIDE' IS COMING IN AT MIDMAR !!!!!! CHECK YOUR MOORINGS AND MOVE THOSE TENDERS, DINGHIES,ETC, FROM THE SHORELINE !!!!!!!!

SATURDAY 9 JANUARY
                            PURSUIT RACE - Briefing 13h30 - Race Officer Peter Metcalfe
Something for everybody. Staggered start according to handicap; 'slower' boats first. Leads to some excitement as quicker boats catch up and the fleet 'bunches' approaching the finish.

SATURDAY 16 JANUARY
                          Partington Plate #4 - Briefing 13h30 - Race Officer Elspeth Gray
                              Race around outer marks after a 'jetty' start.

SATURDAY 24 and SUNDAY 25 JANUARY
                           Summer Mini Regatta-Hawarden Cup - Briefing Saturday 13h30
                       Race Officer Roy Shooter assisted by 'Big D' Wagner and Rich Patrick
Five to nine races over the two days. Hone your sailing skills while competing in a 'fun' regatta on one, or both, days of the event.

SUNDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2009                                    
                       EVENT #6 (of 8) HMYC Class Championships series - Briefing 10h30
                              Race Officers - Peter Metcalfe and Robin MacIntosh (tbc)
                                         Maximum of 3 races per race day
                           incorporating Monthly Mug (ALL YACHTS) events and
 HUNTER CLASS George Duffin Trophy (scratch) and Hunter Class Trophy (boat/skipper handicap) events


                                    HUNTER KZN PROVINCIALS
                HMYC - SATURDAY 13 to MONDAY 15 DECEMBER 2008
Scrutiny of the results sheet, posted on this website will reveal part of the interesting tale that was a most successful Hunter KZN Provincials 2008 held at HMYC.
Read on for a small measure of additional info.
Saturday afternoon had Race Officer, Rob Bell, and his Bridge Crew directing Rescue/Mark Layer ,’Big D’ Wagner, around Midmar Dam in order to get the first race of this year’s event under way. The changeable wind conditions were to present their particular challenges to the race officials and the seventeen competing boats for the three days of the regatta.
The finish of the first race gave all a very early indication of the close competition that was to be a hallmark of the event, with the first five boats crossing the line within seconds of each other. By the end of the eighth and final race on Monday, the top six finishers had all won at least one race !
After two races on Saturday afternoon( lighter easterly winds) and three in stronger northerly winds on Sunday morning, the Sunday lunch time posting of results made for interesting reading. ’Baby Blue’ (Craig Millar/Mike Surgeson) with ‘Prodigy II’ (Chris Frost/Ryan Smolderen) on ten points. ‘Bad News’ (Luke and Stephen Wagner), ‘Odin’s Eye’ (Tony Cockerill/Hank Pike) and ‘Zackedly’ (Rob Samways/Duncan Keir) bunched in hot pursuit on thirteen points. On nineteen points, and in with a chance, were ’08 Hunter National Champs John Bruckman and Dave Martinson on ‘Guesswho?’ and ’07 Hunter KZN Provincial Champ Paul Changuion and crew Tim Duguid sailing ‘Essex Girl’.
A powerful thunderstorm with its accompanying large hailstones, strong winds and driving rain chased the fleet from the course in the early afternoon. Participants were reminded of a similar storm that formed part of the HMYC Raiders’ experience at this year’s Nationals at LDYC on the Vaal earlier in the year! Once the storm had passed, the remainder of the afternoon was spent clearing/repairing the damage caused to boats on the water and in the boat park, tents and caravans, and to the person and belongings of race officials, sailors and camp followers alike.
An overcast Monday morning saw the RO get the fleet out for two races in lighter easterly winds. Such was the competition between the top contenders that the smallest slip while racing was to cost teams dearly in terms of final finishing positions. At the lunch time break it was still very much a ‘four boat race’ with ‘Zackedly’ and ‘Bad News’ (these youngsters putting in an impressive show in their first ‘team’ appearance in a major Hunter regatta) both registering their second wins of the regatta in races six and seven respectively.
As the fleet took to the course after lunch in drizzling rain and shifting wind conditions for what would prove to be the final race of the provincials, it was ‘Zackedly’ and ‘Bad News’ on sixteen points and ‘Baby Blue’ and ‘Prodigy’ on seventeen. The stage set for a tight finish.
‘Essex Girl’ finally found her missing form of the previous year to win the final race and ‘Guesswho?’ and ‘Odin’s Eye’ got in amongst the front runners, collectively making for a ‘flourish’ in final positions at the end of three days of close racing.
Thank you to all who contributed to making the event as enjoyable and successful as it proved to be….
race officials and helpers, club management and staff, sailors and ‘camp followers’.
A special word of thanks must go to the four visiting WYAC crews for travelling all the way from Witbank to make their significant contribution to the event…..John and Dave, and Graham, Sharon, Aysha and Richard Genlloud and Roger and Bernie Hill and their respective families.

Overall ‘Top Ten’ Positions:                                           Handicap Results:
1. ‘Zackedly’ (Rob Samways/Duncan Keir – HMYC)            1.’Bluebottle’ (James and Rob Barker – HMYC)
2. ‘Baby Blue’ (Craig Millar/Mike Surgeson – HMYC)           2.’Rags’ (Graham and Aysha Genlloud – WYAC)
3. ‘Bad News’ (Luke and Stephen Wagner - HMYC)            3.’Bad News’ (watch this handicap change!!!)
4. ’Prodigy II’ (Chris Frost/Ryan Smolderen – RNYC)
5. ’Odin’s Eye’ (Tony Cockerill/Hank Pike – HMYC)
6. ’Essex Girl’ (Paul Changuion/Tim Duguid – HMYC)
7. ’Guesswho? ’(John Bruckman/Dave Martinson – WYAC)
8. ’Bluebottle’ (James and Rob Barker – UCTYC)
9. ’Rags’ (Graham and Aysha Genlloud – WYAC)
10.’Mistress’ (Peter Metcalfe/Geoff Scallan – HMYC)

                 SEE YOU AT THE NATIONALS AT HMYC IN MARCH 2009

         "THE LURE OF THE DISTANT AND DIFFICULT IS DECEPTIVE,
                        THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY IS WHERE YOU ARE."
                                                                                                                                                 (John Burroughs)