Despite having only three weeks to get a racing team together and prepare for this year's Lipton Cup Regatta, South Africa's foremost yacht race, the Algoa Bay Yacht Club entry, sailing under the name of Blick Challenger, managed an impressive 13th overall position in a fleet of 32 entries.
"Given the time constraints and the fact that the skipper and the four-man crew were all new to this event, we are very pleased with our first time performance," says Eugene Lombard, team manager and software developer at Blick South Africa, a market leader in the design, installation and servicing of a complete range of security, access control and time management solutions.
"Despite being 'novices', we gave the 20 or so 'professionals' - those teams that enter every year to try to win this prestigious event - a good run for their money." While the Blick Challenger crew might have been new to the Lipton Cup, which is seen as the Grand Prix of regattas in South Africa, they do not lack experience.
The L26 class yacht was skippered by Rob Archibald who represented South Africa at the Hobie 16 World Championships in 1996. The crew also included schoolboy Bevan Galoway who earned his place by beating off a large contingent of experienced senior yachtsmen at Algoa Bay. Galoway is actively involved in the development program at Algoa Bay Yacht Club. He has only been sailing keelboats for about two years, but he is an outstanding sailor and proved his worth on the halyards in the cockpit," says Lombard.
The Lipton Cup, which this year was sailed in Durban and hosted by the Point Yacht Club in cooperation with the Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club, is the premier inter club regatta in South Africa. The Lipton Cup itself is one of the most valuable trophies in South African sport. The event is also distinguished by the fact that the original sponsor is still involved after a period of 94 years. Only one entry is accepted from each SAS recognised yacht club in South Africa. The 2003 event attracted 32 entries from clubs across South Africa, representing the top sailors on the local circuit. Unlike most other regattas, the results of all races count and make up the average score in the final results. The different courses are laid out to strict specifications laid down by Lipton in 1907.
"Despite these tough courses, the tough competition we faced and demanding sea conditions, the Blick Challenger crew did exceptionally well. Our goal now is to make sure that we bring this valuable cup back to Algoa Bay next August. "Until then Blick Challenger will proudly fly the Blick SA flags and colours during the coming sailing season which begins in October. With a three year campaign ahead of us, we are looking forward to some exciting racing," says Lombard.
For more information contact Angie Samuel, Blick SA, 011 844 3200, [email protected]
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