Whatshot

2026
2025
November
2024
June
April
2023
March
2022
2021
2020
March
February
2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2015
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2014
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2013
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2012
December
November
October
September
August
July

SAS Grand Slam

SAS Grand Slam

Date: 2017-07-28

Winter dinghy sailing in Durban doesn't get better than this; the third annual SAS Grand Slam hosted by Point Yacht Club was held in the bay over the weekend.

With a fleet of 34 dinghies taking to the water, the two largest fleets were the Oppies and Lasers. Leading the full rig Lasers, was Gregg Dobson closely followed by JP McCoughlin who is making a welcome return to the sport. Third was Siya Vato who had moments of shining on the water. Joining them in the full rig was Denmar Nel and John Eales who, like McCoughlin, is making a welcome return to the water.

In the radial fleet, two inland sailors led the fleet. Tristian Sommerville managed to stay in front of Tristian Sommerville, both representing Henley Midmar Yacht Club and PYC's own Hannah Fokkens managed an impressive third.

A gaggle of 10 Oppies participated over the two days, with nine on the water on Saturday and experienced Iain Bowman joining them on Sunday. Vincent Vermaak owned the class, with an impressive 6points notched up from the eight races. In second was Bowman's younger brother Scott on 15points, and third was Ethan Hooper, who travelled down from Richards Bay, earned himself a third. Also on the water, relishing the opportunity to compete were Marcel Vermaak, Blaine Dunbar, Connor McCoughlin, Tayghan Honicke representing Zululand Yacht Club, Iain Bowman, Thomas Hallum and Matthew Husen.

Race Officer for the event, Kevin Bingham set a short windward leeward course near the Durban Marina. The winds clocked around 6knots at the start of racing, and gently built as the day warmed up.

The next event for the Point Yacht Club is the much anticipated Band on the Bay with the ceremonial sail past and fun bay race in celebration of the club's 125 anniversary bash on Wednesday 9 August, the Women's Day public holiday.