13 top teams contested this year’s 505 Northvaal championships at Aeolians on the Vaaldam. Many of the teams are already gearing up for the World championships in Denmark next year and see these big regattas as perfect early preparation for their campaigns. The regatta was well run with 9 solid races in all conditions, testing crews and equipment to the max.
Saturday, 25th of April, started off with some excellent breeze. 4 races were sailed back to back and this made for some excellent racing. Race one started off with switchy conditions with team Holm managing to get their noses into first. Hans Rogotzki and Alan Haylett came in, in second place followed by the Funkes and the grand masters Rob Willcox/Ditmar Herrman. Albrecht Holm and CJ Milln came in 5th followed by the father / son combination of Alex and Warwick Ham. Race 2 saw the wind build slightly and this resulted in some spectacular reaches around the course.
In race 2, first place went to the Funkes followed by the Holms and Rogotzki/Haylett combination. As the regatta progressed it seemed that any one of these three teams could have a chance to win the event. Willcox/Herrman combination was always close behind in 4th with position 5, 6 and 7 being alternated between team Ham, Klaas/le Roux and Hom/Milln. So after day one, the Funkes were narrowly leading from Holm/Holm followed closely by Rogotski and Haylett. At this point it was anybody’s regatta and with two days of sailing still to come, prospects were high.
Sunday saw the wind prior to the cold front continuing meaning that it would build steadily out of the North west throughout the day. Rob M’crystal did not waste any time with getting the race under way and by 9.30 race 5 had started. The Holms showed some excellent speed and led the fleet around the course followed closely by Willcox/Herrman in second and Rogotski/Haylett in 3rd. The Funkes had an early capsize in the switchy conditions which put them into 4th followed Klaas/le Roux, Biagio/Quarmby and Ham /Ham. Race 6 saw the breeze pick up nicely and again some excellent sailing conditions where being experienced. The stronger wind meant some exciting racing around the course with capsizes happening all around. Again the competition at the top of the fleet was strong with the Funkes winning from Rogotzki/Haylett followed by the Holm’s in 3rd and the Ham’s in 4th. Race 7, just before lunch, also made for some serious racing with Klass/le Roux, Holms, Willcox /Herrman and Funkes all showing how the 505 should be sailed. Carnage at the gybe mark did however change the lead with both Klaas/le Roux and Holms capsizing letting Rogotzki/Haylett, Funkes and Willcox/Herrman get away with 1,2,3 respectively. After lunch two more races were sailed with the Funkes securing first places in both followed in second by the Holms and the third place going to Ham/Ham and Willcox/Herrman, respectively.
On Monday racing was abandoned due to light and shifty conditions which meant that the results on Sunday evening were final, with the Peter and Thomas Funke winning from Rudolph and Ferdi Holm followed in third by Hans Rogotzki and Alan Haylett. 9 races, two discards, 13 boats was a turnout and resulted in an excellent event. Thank you to Aeolians for hosting the 505 class and to Rob M’crystal and his team for taking time to run the bridge.