Radio Controlled Sailing at TSC

The Dragon Flite 95 is a recently launched radio controlled yacht now with a 118 boats in SA. David Booth wanted to promote TSC as a venue for radio controlled racing and organized a two day regatta over the past weekend.

8 sailors were entered and 4 of those arrived on Friday to put in a two hour training session before a braai with a picturesque sunset. We all know the Saturday morning conditions for the 9 hour, so the 8 DF95s were only able to start their racing at 12 in a light westerly wind. After lunch the stronger south westerly filled in and the sailors enjoyed good conditions sailing up the launching area of Jimmy’s Bay. At the end of the first day 13 races had been completed and Roy Gardiner from MAC was leading Des Fairbank from Henley Midmar.

An important part of all events is the socializing after racing. Another braai was held for the sailors and their wives. Few of the sailors had visited TSC before and were very impressed with the bar and canteen facilities, which are important assets to any regatta.

Sunday dawned with rain forecast. The light winds from the west meant that only 2 races could be held before lunch. After lunch a strong the South easterly was blowing and the course was moved to the public side and 4 races were completed in 23 knots and rolling waves on the lee shore. It was exciting racing for the 8 sailors with tacking needing to be accurate in these the wave conditions and then full on racing downwind with the following surfing waves. Racing stopped when a big rain squalled approached from the dam wall.

Des Fairbanks won the regatta sailed over 19 races from Roy Gardiner who came to his own in the final races in the strong wind and Brian Buddell from MAC a close third.

The DF95 has 3 different sail plans to cater for the various wind conditions and over the 19 races all 3 rigs were required in order to master the wind and wave conditions. It is a challenge in itself to ensure that each rig is finely tuned in order to maximise TSC’s variable conditions. TSC were able to put a very enjoyable regatta with excellent sailing conditions and top class club facilities. With the success of this regatta it has been requested to introduce this regatta as an annual event on the WC SAS Calendar and to hold other racing days at TSC.