WEWA Hunter Nationals 2022

WYAC Hunter Nationals

19-21 March 2022

The past weekend saw us host the WEWA hunter 19 National championship with 28 entries from the following clubs – Houtbay (HBYC), Natal were ably represented by  Howick (HMYC) and Richardsbay’s Zululand Yacht club (ZYC). The Free-state sent yachts from Vaal Cruising Association (VCA), Lake Deneysville Yacht Club (LDYC) and Deneysville Aquatic club (DAC) with a few boats from Emmarentia Sailing club in Gauteng. Witbank were well represented with 13 yachts and ensured that the club won the Club trophy which is taken from the score of the top 5 entries.

The regatta started on Saturday with registration and the first race starting at 11h00. Winds were fickle and after many course changes and waiting for the wind to settle we managed to get in 2 races. Saturday night the club hosted the dinner which saw smart yachties in blazers and not the usual shorts and T’s, some we didn’t recognise.

Sunday saw the entrants go out and start the first race at 9h00 and then the rest of the day was spent on the water sail one wait a bit  but eventually the race office managed to finish 4 races out of 6 starts which secured the regatta with one discard. The Class held their annual AGM in the evening after racing where James King was re-elected as class chairman with James Ord from HBYC elected as Vice Chairman, with Jessica Rossouw volunteering for Treasurer once again. The Provincial representatives are Luke Wagner – Natal, Craig Hay Mpumalanga, Theo Von – Western Cape, Pierre van Rensburg – Gauteng and Free-state, thank you all for your continued hard work in the Class and making it one of the strongest keel boat classes in the country.

Monday unfortunately saw a day with no wind and the competitors all packed up for the long way home. Amongst the entries were National Sailors of the year as well as multiple winners of various national titles which made for tight racing amongst the sailors. Thank you once again to W.E.W.A – Witbank Electrical Wholesale Agencies for all your support. The event finished off with all competitors receiving a thank you gift and well wished for the rest of the season.

The Club and all competitors would also like to extend its sincere appreciation to the members (all volunteers) of NSRI station 35 for their assistance over the whole event, THANK YOU!

Congratulations to the winners:

Gold Class:

1st – Herbie and Warren Karolius – DAC

Warren & Herbie Karolius from DAC receiving the Winners trophy from WEWA representative Barry Ogilvie

2nd – Luke Wagner and Craig Millar – HMYC

3rd – John and Calis Bruckmann – WYAC –

Ladies:

Bronwyn Klass and Allyssa van Rensburg – DAC – and 5th overall

– great sailing ladies.

Bronwyn Klass and Allyssa van Rensburg representing DAC receiving the Trophy from Sailing Secretary Bryan Price

Juniors:

Tay and Eryn Honicke – ZYC

Tay and Eryn Honicke representing ZYC receiving the trophy from Sailing Secretary Bryan Price

Silver Class:

1st – Colin and Greg Hay – WYAC

2nd – Stefan and Theuns Botha – WYAC

3rd – Neil Armstrong and Martin Schwab – VCA

Other winners were:

James Ord won the Chairman’s Trophy for the Best contribution to the Class, 

WYAC for the inter club trophy – Received by Commodore Rory Hay

James King won the Spinnaker sponsored by WEWA, WYAC, C Sails and the Class Association

Andrew Edwards won a new Traveller, sponsored by James King

Colin Hay won the new set of sheets for his Hunter, sponsored by James King

All competitors a pair of Port/Starboard socks Sponsored by Amtec.

James Ord & James King handing over the Chairmans Trophy
Rory Hay receiving the Inter Club Trophy from Sailing Secretary Bryan Price

Thank you WYAC, Hunter Class, WEWA and sponsors for all your contributions which made the event such a success.

Please diarise next year’s Nationals  @ DAC on the 18th to 21st March.

For full results please follow this link

WYAC Hunter Nationals