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Double-the-Island Race 2024
The first Double-the-Island Race since the 1980s was successfully held with 20 participating boats
Double-the-Island Race, 2024 Edition
Patron: SAORT - SOUTH AFRICAN OCEAN RACING TRUST - Powered by ORC SOUTH AFRICA
The Double-the-Island Race was successfully sailed by 20 boats on Saturday 23 March 2024. Racing twice around Robben Island was last attempted in the 1980’s with the first official “Double-the-Island” race held in 1909.
The start and finish lines were moved on the day to the Landfall mark in order to accommodate a nasty predicted convergence zone. This worked brilliantly for both starts as there was no wind at the initial course start mark (#8). Great conditions were optimized by all on course albeit some ugly kite drops. The shorthanded sailors displayed amazing local knowledge by doing the Northern hitch-in and riding the island lift. The bulk of the Class B boats finished in wind and before the Class A boats.
Unfortunately by the time Yolo, Libra, Voodoo, Flyer and Cape Dancer approached the finish line, the Cape Doctor was pushing hard from the opposite side which resulted in a dead stop 80m before the finish line. Yolo drifted backwards for 40min, Cape Dancer had to withdraw (like real gentlemen) due to having started her engine to avoid a collision whilst drifting backwards onto Yolo in rather bumpy conditions, Libra and Voodoo managed to drift past both Yolo and Cape Dancer but with a substantial delay in their finishing times.
Great camaraderie was had at the “long-table” prizegiving. Congratulations to all who took part and to Royal Flush winning Class B as well as Tenacity for winning Class A as well as Overall. Thank you once again to our amazing sponsors. The next SSSA Grand-Prix event will be held on 6 April 2024. Be sure to join the fun!
