Five members of GMBC travelled to Witbank Yacht Club to compete in the recent Provincial Regatta held on 22, 23 and 24 May.

As always, Witbank Yacht Club proved to be excellent hosts, delivering a well-organised regatta complemented by a restaurant serving hot meals throughout the event. The welcoming atmosphere and professional event management contributed to a fantastic weekend of sailing.

The GMBC team made a strong impression both on and off the water. From our early morning coffee gatherings and strategy discussions to our competitive performances on the racecourse, the camaraderie and support among our sailors were evident throughout the event. It was a true team effort, with members encouraging and assisting one another every step of the way.

Conditions were unusually light to very light, which suited our sailors perfectly and allowed our light-wind sailing skills to shine. The regatta also marked an important milestone for several of our members. Norman and Donovan competed in their first RC Provincial Championship, while it was my second appearance at this level. Brent and Kevin brought valuable experience, having competed at multiple provincial events over the years.

Although several top sailors were absent due to recent coastal regattas and preparations for the upcoming DF95 Global Championship, the competition remained strong. Gauteng clubs also faced a few absences due to illness and work commitments. We look forward to seeing those sailors back on the water at future events.

The GMBC sailors quickly caught the attention of the leading competitors, with our performance in the light conditions proving highly competitive. One personal highlight was achieving my first-ever championship race win – a memorable moment and, as golfers would say, the sailing equivalent of scoring a hole-in-one! Fortunately, the celebrations were all in good spirit.

The final standings were incredibly close, with just a single point separating several positions, demonstrating the high level of competition throughout the fleet.

A special congratulations goes to:

• Brent for securing 2nd place in the IOM Class
• Kevin for achieving 2nd place overall in the DF95 Class

We are extremely proud of all the GMBC sailors who represented the club. Their dedication, teamwork and competitive spirit continue to demonstrate that GMBC is a force to be reckoned with on the provincial sailing circuit.

Well done, gentlemen – a fantastic achievement for the club!