{"id":9021,"date":"2012-03-17T15:17:26","date_gmt":"2012-03-17T13:17:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/03\/the-annual-abyc-week-regatta-looms\/"},"modified":"2012-03-17T15:17:26","modified_gmt":"2012-03-17T13:17:26","slug":"the-annual-abyc-week-regatta-looms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/the-annual-abyc-week-regatta-looms\/","title":{"rendered":"The Annual ABYC Week Regatta Looms"},"content":{"rendered":"

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For over 50 years the local Algoa Bay Yacht Club<\/a> has held their annual Algoa Bay Week regatta \u2013 the name has \u2018adjusted\u2019 along with the sponsors; Kwikot Week, Continental Week, Isuzu Week and Giza Week are some that spring to mind. Fleets have ranged from over 125 boats to less than 20 but one thing has always been constant \u2013 the fierce on and off water rivalry between skippers and crew alike.<\/p>\n

Foreign crews always talk fondly of the incredible and varied sailing conditions, precise courses and legendary parties.<\/p>\n

This year 22 yachts, split into 2 fleets, will be jostling on the start line for the 1st race on Wednesday morning 21 March 2012. Expect much loud shouting from those skippers who do not know their racing rules. The air will turn blue as boats crunch and hapless crew toss winch handles and their lunch overboard. Of course the \u201cstarboard\u201d warning does not mean much when the one in the right weighs one ton and the one in the wrong weighs 15 tons and is made of metal!<\/p>\n

Fleet 1 will be made up of the boy racer sport and sport type boats \u2013 Pacer 27\u2032s, J27\u2032s, L26\u2032s and a lone Didi with a menacing prodder on the bow.<\/p>\n

They are expected to show the way and complete the courses in record time.<\/p>\n

Fleet 2 will consist of the floating palaces and other assorted boats with far too much equipment onboard \u2013 to make it \u2018just like home\u2019 they tell me. \u201cWell then, why didn\u2019t you stay at home?\u201d I tell them.<\/p>\n

Expect to see a Farr 38 (it should be in Fleet 1 but the skipper must be getting long in the tooth), a couple of Astoves and other 30 footers along with 2 Holidays.<\/p>\n

Racing takes place off of Shark Rock Pier and here are some nautical terms you can throw around amongst the peasants (sure to get you some points with the opposite sex):<\/strong><\/p>\n