| ERYC Kerri Lee Charity Regatta | Northvaal Sailing Association |
This event once again attracted a hardy band of sailors to attempt some chilly winter sailing. A good breeze prevailed on the Saturday, from the southwest. This direction puts a large area of the water in the lee of the mine dump. A course was set from the eastern gully with mark one in the Reiger Park corner and mark 2 opposite the clubhouse. This put the beat in the airstream coming around the northern flank of the mine dump, with mark 2 in the airstream coming around the southern side - and not much in the middle! Three races were sailed. On Sunday, the wind was initially lighter but gradually increased from the same direction as Sunday. Two races were sailed for a total of 5.
Laser was the largest class, with 8 boats sailing. First overall was Gill Waiting, who profited from Peter Clayton's capsize (brrr!) in the 1st race to win that one and also taking advantage of the lighter wind in Sundays 1st race. Peter also had two firsts but had to count a 4th to finish 2nd. Andrew Edwards was 3rd, winning race 3. Tim Archer was another to cool off with a capsize.
Second largest class was Optimist with 7 boats. The dominant sailor here was Bronwen Klaas, who won all the races. In 2nd place, with three 2nds was Robert Jones and in 3rd place, with three 3rds, was Marc M'Crystal.
Mathew M'Crystal was the first of three Dabchicks, also winning all the races. Similarly, Robert Edwards and Brett de Jager won all the Mirror races, also with 3 boats.
The Open Class consisted of two GP14s, two Fireballs, a Finn and an Enterprise. The two Fireballs and the Finn started incorrectly in all 3 races on Saturday. Mike Dann did a bit better, managing to start and finish 3 races to fininsh 3rd overall, winning race 4. Ken Bennetts and Evelyn Osborne were first overall, with two first places in the 4 races they sailed. Second place went to the other GP14, sailed by Kerry Samuels and Diane Loader.
With most of the visitors coming from Benoni S.C. and Victoria Lake Club, the competition for the Kerri Lee Trophy was between these two clubs. Their good turnout of Juniors pushed the balance to Victoria Lake Club to be recipients of the Kerri Lee Trophy for 2002.
Mike Dann reports that R1000 was raised from entry fees and ERYC contributed a further R1000, all to be donated to a local children's home.