YOLO Enters Cape to Rio Race 2014

YOLO Press Release: Royal Cape Yacht Club Commodore, Dale Kushner has officially lodged his personal entry in the upcoming Cape to Rio Race which is due to start on the 4th January 2014. Dale Kushner is familiar with this race having taken part in previous editions, the most recent was the 2011 Edition in which he attained 3rd place overall. This Year he will be entering and sailing the event Double handed with his long time crew member Ian Coward. This Duo have competed in almost every single Offshore event in South Africa together and have done the Double Handed South Star race in 2003 and therefore are very familiar with Double Handed Sailing. They will be sailing aboard Dale’s Jenneau Sunfast 3200 Class yacht which is aptly named YOLO (You Only Live Once). The boat is 32 feet in length making it one of the smallest boats to enter this edition of the race. Dale’s estimate of the race: It is anyone’s race, conditions, good decisions and a bit of luck being the overriding factor. This Skipper is known for being very particular in boat preparation ensuring that everything is prepped properly in order to minimise any potential gear failures that one may encounter. Their Satellite communication requirements are sponsored by their long time sponsor Xtra-Link(since 2005) PIC #1 – Dale Kushner(right) handing his entry form to Ray Matthews(Left) Cape to Rio Chairman.

Italian Ambassador's Challenge

A perfect event which the club and the Italian Consulate put a lot of effort into.. Starting with an event held at the Ambassador's residence the night before for Skippers../ THis was a high end function catered etc... with a few speeches. Saturday was a perfect day, but windy.. YOLO had two wonderful guest aboard and two more crew from Isivungu who were really great. In the harbour there was not much wind.. but around the corner in the start area it was blowing 35 knots plus.. and the difficult call by the organizers was made to cancel sailing. THis was the correct decision as there were lots of guests on the boats and the forecast was for it to get stronger(which it did) Yolo opted for a short sail.. and sailed into mid bay and then reached back to Granger Bay at good speeds a bit overpowered at times.. Dropped sails and tghen decided since it was still so early to drop anchor at Granger Bay for an hour.. and enjoy the beautiful weather on that side... followed by a motor back to the club via the V&A. Aboard Were: Dale, Ian and Siger, plus 2 guests and 2 crew from Isivungu.

Wednesday Night Race -19th November 2013

Light and fickle at the start... with it being patchy.. At the five minutes the call was made to raise the genoa. Unfortunately it was not clipped on properly, so the halyard went to the top of the mast.. Quick rush to get the bosun's chair and strap on, go up the mast, retrieve the halyard get down and clip on and hoist.. has the halyard up just as the gun went.. Alas due to the wind with the main only Yolo was still far from the start line. It took almost 2 minutes for YOLO to cross the start. IN the meantime the front boats had made a few boat lengths as they picked up the puffs etc.. Eventually breeze came through and the chase was on. YOLO rounded the first mark far behind where she should be.. On the downwind worked the puffs to try and gain... executed a good rounding at the leeward mark and then began to work all the shift on the beat again. This helps to catch up with some of the boats ahead.. IN the end, Yolo managed to pull back to a third overall. Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger, Sarel, Jenna, Guest Steve and Owen. Boat performed well.

Double Handed Race -Sat 16th November 2013

After a very storm evening, with flooding and wind carnage in and around Cape Town, a nice 7-8knots breeze from the SW filled intot he bay with a smooth seaway. Yolo got off to a conservative start.. with the light wind, the boats with the larger sail areas managed to pull away. Once around the first mark, Yolo still struggled in the light conditions but managed to hold her own.. With next leg, the wind got lighter and with a L34 sailing through Yolo's lee.. it was time to find wind. There seemed to be more wind on the Right hand side of the course.. so Yolo worked in that direction.. getting to the wind first.. Eventually being able to tack and lay LAndfall. At this stage it seemed that Yolo would catch up and pass some boats.. As the beat progressed the boats coming in on Port got lifted and Yolo got headed.. with Yolo behind them again. In the end, no gain on this leg for Yolo.. The race ended with Yolo having one of he "not so good results" coming 5th(last) in the race.. Aboard were Dale and Ian.

Wed Nite -13th November 2013

A comfortable SW of around 12 knots.. A reasonable start, could have been better, Yolo rounding the mark for the downwind.. in good company.. On the downwind struggled for speed with the boats with Yolo at the rounding pulling away and boats from behind able to catch up and Pass Yolo.. At the Leeward mark, Yolo managed to get on the inside of Freedom and set herself up for the beat.. At this time, Regardless was well ahead.. Yolo then had to try and make distance with the boats around her.. with a few tacks to look for more breeze Yolo was able to pull away.. in the end, ending the race 2nd on corrected time. Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger, Sarel, Jenna.. and Our Guests the OC of the HMS Richmond Robert Pedre and his Girlfriend Emily.

Wed Nite -6th November 2013

Another coldish day in Cape Town.. Not abnormal for this time of the year, when one does get a bout of this type of weather from time to time. Perfect North Western blowing. Around 14-16knots with a nice big sea running. Yolo had a ACE of a start.. getting ahead and being able to stay ahead for the first leg.. with a Simonis 35 catching up and a Old IOR One tonner catching up, but Yolo still managed to round weather mark first. On the downwind, Yolo poled out the jib, while the two mentioned boats were in kite class. The Simonis 35 quickly overhauled Yolo and the other boat took a bit longer to get their kite up but still managed to pass though Yolo's lee before the leeward mark but took it very wide allowing Yolo an opening. The beat was quite bumpy, with the two boats sailing "neck and neck" with a big boat sailing over Yolo forcing her to tack away.. Coming into the Mark the IOR boat came in on port and tacked in the two boat lenth makr and forced Yolo to avoid collision. Yolo immediately called protest and flew the flag. the other boat then honourably did they 720 and then raised their kite.. even with the 720 they were able to finish the race well ahead of Yolo. In all a great race in nice sea conditions. Yolo won her class on corrected time. Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger, Sarel and Jenna(Who has not been sailing with us for a long while)