Sailors look ahead to newly launched event

As the majority of South Africa remains housebound in the fight against COVID-19, SA Sailing are looking ahead to the end of the year, when they are launching a new event on the local sailing calendar.

In December 2020, between Christmas and New Year, an inaugural SA Sailing Masters Championship will be held at Henley Midmar Yacht Club in KwaZulu-Natal. As the sport of sailing caters for all age groups, many past Olympic and world champions compete in annual masters World Championships and South Africa is well represented in these events, especially in the Olympic Laser and Finn classes.

The organising committee is planning an all-class event to invite as many sailors as possible to attend. Class and boat handicaps will apply to determine the overall champion for the SA Sailing Masters title. Invitations will be extended to all past, current and future stars to participate in this festival of sailing.

The age category for Masters sailors starts at 35 years old, and there are four categories every 10 years thereafter where a “weighting of age” will be applied as per International rules.

SA Sailing’s KZN Chairperson Steve Hegerstrom explained: “Obviously with the national lockdown, there is no recreational or competitive sailing taking place at the moment. As SA Sailing we’re fully committed to following the guidelines of President Cyril Ramaphosa in staying at home.”

“But it’s with much excitement that we’re looking ahead to a happier time once this massive challenge has been overcome when we can get back out on the water.”

“Many international classes around the world cater for Masters events. SA Sailing, in conjunction with yacht clubs, have done incredible junior training over the years and hosting of junior regattas. However, our demographics indicate a gap for a Masters event. This will be the first ever SA Sailing Masters all-class dinghy and catamaran event and we aim to attract and reunite all legacy classes.”

“Our aim is to have 100-plus yachts enter where overall class winners as well as the overall boat handicap winner will have bragging rights to be the SA Masters national champion.”