Hello all,

This Sunday we sail races 3 and 4 of the Autumn Series trophy.

Racing is scheduled to start at 11h00 sharp and with a good 12 - 14 knot southeaster forecast the sailing will fast and good for all sailors.

This weekend's sailing will be followed by the last Sunday lunch bring 'n braai for the season and all members are asked to please support both the sailing and the braai.

Last Weekend while most of our members were hunting for Easter eggs a contingent of nine sailors from Port Elizabeth (seven from RYC and two from ABYC) were battling for position in strong winds and cold water at Saldanha Bay during the W.Cape Provincial regatta.

Redhouse was proudly represented by Josh Woollard (Optimist), Sydney Pettitt (Optimist), Sarah Arnold (Laser 4.7), Scott Stephens (Laser 4.7), Matt Van Rensburg (Laser Radial), Justin Onvlee (Laser) and Rob Onvlee (Finn).

Racing began on the Friday afternoon with two races in moderate wind followed by four races in strong winds on each of Saturday and Sunday before closing with a further two races on the Monday.

The regatta was extremely well organised and with just over two hundred entries the competition for pole position was tough.

Very well earned congratulations go to all our sailors, and especially those who braved the strong winds to sail every one of the twelve races not made any easier with waiting times of as long as an hour between races.

The final results of the W.Cape Provincial regatta may be viewed by clicking here.

Sailing Program - We have just three weekends of organised sailing left before the annual winter break and all members are asked to please support each of the remaining events which are:-

• This Sunday at 11h00 - Races 3 & 4 of the Autumn Series.
• 02 & 03 May - The NSRI regatta and races for the prestigious NSRI trophy.
• 16 & 17 May - The Frostbite Regatta that closes the 2008/9 season.

Laser Sails - I am shortly leaving for an all-work-and-no-play business visit to the UK and will once again bring back identical replicas of the official class legal Laser sails for anyone wanting to replace their old sail or keep their class legal sail nice and crisp for official regattas.

These sails are made in the UK and come with the Laser classs insignia, battens and sail bag and cost just £130 each (converts to just over R1,800 at current exchange rates) making them nearly 80% cheaper than the official Laser sail. Anyone wanting to order one of these sails should please phone or email me a.s.a.p.

Sailing School - There will be a short session of sailing school at Redhouse from 10h00 this Sunday followed by the racing.

I look forward to you joining your fellow club members on the water and at the braai after the racing this Sunday.

Yours in sailing

PAUL PETTITT
Commodore
041 581-5394