Local rubber duckers take it too far
2006-11-02
A NAVIGATIONAL mistake cost a rubber duck team from Wellington dearly during the Trans-Atlantic race that was held this weekend.
Local participants Steyn Basson and Phillip Schenk of Team Champs Beverages overshot the finish of the final stage of the race.
Speeding past the official finish at Melkbosstrand, the two man crew only realised their mistake at Bloubergstrand.
In spite of their six minute lead in the Blue Print class at the start of the final day, Basson and his co-pilot had to settle for second place overall, after receiving a Did Not Finish (DNF) status for the final stage.
The other teams from Wellington achieved mixed success.
Willem Cockrell (pilot) and Wilhelm Olivier (co-pilot) of Team Midas suffered mechanical problems in the Standard Class after towing in a fellow racer, and had to bow out of the event.
Team Zing consisting of Jacques Groenewald (pilot) and Frans Laubscher (co-pilot) showed excellent progress in their first long haul race and impressed with a seventh overall position in the Standard Class.
Only 19 of the 35 teams that started the three day race over 500km finished the event.
The first day’s shift from Strandfontein to Velddrif went by rather uneventful.
The second day’s racing had to be called off due to heavy mist.
To make up for lost time the organisers decided to host an off-shore circuit race in Yzerfontein. Here the pilots had to contend with strong wind conditions and big waves.
The final winners in the respective P750 classes were: (Modifieds) Hennie de Bod and Jaco van Staden (Team Robertson Abattoir), (Blue Prints) Wilhelm Rabie and Albert Bester (Team Robertson Toyota/Bon Courage), (Standards) Rudi Rollin and Malan Botha (Team Coroma).
More
News
|
