No wind on Table Bay

Day two of Lipton Cup puton hold

Mock water battles were the order of the day for the 27 boat Lipton Challenge Cup 2007 fleet as they bobbed about in windless conditions in Cape Town’s Table Bay today before racing was eventually abandoned at 2.30 pm this afternoon.

“The fleet were pumped up and eager to race today after the exciting start on Sunday. We managed to lay some marks but the ever vacillating breezes which dropped to mere zephyrs at times made it impossible to set a proper course. Racing was eventually abandoned and the start of race two is postponed until midday tomorrow (Tuesday),” said Nicholas Mace, Chairman of the organising committee.

The fleet representing the cream of South African sailing from yacht clubs around the country made the most of the unexpected few hours 'holiday at sea' and despite intermittent rain showers got up their usual fun tricks when the wind dies - launching mock battles and water bomb attacks on their opponents.

“The good news is that we expect more sunshine on Tuesday, but the bad news is that even less wind is forecast - about 2 to 7 knots. We can race in light winds, that’s no problem, but what we have to have is steady winds in order to hold a race,” said Mace.

At least three traditional 12 mile courses set to a square, triangle and 'sausage' configuration as specified in the 1909 Deed of Gift which accompanied the trophy donated by America’s Cup sailing legend Sir Thomas Lipton have to be sailed by Friday in order to declare the event a regatta. Although considered old fashioned and even obsolete these days the traditional courses were designed for early 20th century sail boats that struggled to sail to windward. Once the historic races have been sailed the rest of the Lipton races are set to contemporary Olympic courses.

The first race of the event on Sunday was won by co-skippers Greg Davis and Gareth Blanckenberg on Theewater Sports Club’s Dalys Insurance, followed by father and son team Dave and Roger Hudson on Royal Cape Yacht Club’s Greenlight. Third was Team Shosholoza skipper Mark Sadler who is racing for Royal Natal Yacht Club’s Orion. Fourth and fifth place were taken by brothers Paul and Graeme Willcox of Zeekoevlei’s Alexandra Security and Shosholoza’s David Rae of Transvaal Yacht Club’s Roto Hexe Bumbo.

The event which is being hosted by Royal Cape Yacht Club in Table Bay and defended by Theewater Sports Club ends on Friday 31 August.