When the wind is from the south and not quite strong enough to get over the top of the bulk of Table Mountain it sweeps around either side, producing two very different wind systems - a strong south easterly on the east side and a moderate westerly on the west side. Between these two systems lies a convergence zone of calm weather. Tactically skippers have to decide whether to go screaming down the beach in the south easter and risk trying to get through the convergence zone further north, near the island, or sail slower in the westerly, but on a more direct course. Coming back to the finish means the whole fleet has to cross the convergence zone a second time. This week's Robben island Race was a classic in terms of trying to read the wind properly. Many got it wrong, including some serious rock stars!

At the start area the south easter could be seen tantalizingly close - white caps and a full 30 knots of it as well, whilst the 39 strong fleet flopped about listlessly in a very light westerly which faded to nothing every few minutes. The course had been set to sail a short, one leg beat up to the Paarden Island mark, and then put spinnakers up and head for the island. The first start was a mess. There were boats sailing directly towards each other on the same tack, in two different breezes. When the south easterly reached the fleet with 30 seconds to go, it was a frenzy of activity, as most of the boats were over canvassed and on their ear, but it was all in vain as the radio squawk ed and the race officer called the fleet back for a general recall.

The next start was scheduled for 10 minutes later. This time the south easter withdrew 200 meters to the east whilst the fitful westerly faded away to nothing. With half the fleet on the wrong side of the line, the race officer decided to blow that start as well. A new course was announced, eliminating the Paarden Island mark. The third start was successful with the fleet splitting off into two distinct groups those on the left in the moderate westerly and thos eon the right, seeking out the power of the southeasterly.

Windpower (Landmark 43) with Rick Nankin on the helm, gybed away to get into the south easter, which had crept quietly westwards and closer to the fleet during the start sequence. Regent Express (Pacer 27 Sport) followed Windpower and these two boats enjoyed a high speed dash down the coast, with the Pacer, which logged 19,3 knots maximum speed, eventually getting ahead of the Landmar43, to take the lead as the right hand group crossed the bay towards the northern end of the island. But the high speed stuff was about to come to an abrupt end as the leaders sailed into a big calm zone. One by one the right hand group sailed into the calm zone and most of them parked there for about 20 minutes, watching in agony as the left hand group came sailing gently along the eastern shore of the island and swallow up their hard fought lead.

The left hand group was headed up by the L52 ' Thunderchild' and that all conquering Farr 38 'A-L' The first five boats around the island included Thunderchild, Windpower, Majimoto, Al and Regent Express

The westerly freshened up to about 15 knots giving a decent angle to clear the kelp and reefs. Some of the waves were large, ponderous and steep - suddenly rearing up to curl dangerously into white water. A shoreline littered with shipwrecks bears mute testimony to the dangers these waves hold. The L42 "8 Seconds" caught one of those big ones head on and the boat went airborne, to the point where their keel was visible. The entire crew lifted off the deck and came crashing back down as the boat settled down onto the back of the wave. The skipper was given the NASA award at prize giving for the highest flying boat! The westerly held almost all the way back to the finish, but the calm zone was lying in wait for everyone. Some tried their luck by crossing over to the beach at an earlier stage, but either way, it was high risk tactics. Ultimately the calm zone swallowed up the entire fleet which resulted in some 17 boats retiring.

The Farr 38 'A-L' took 1st place, followed by another Farr 38 'Freedom' with the J120 'Naledi' in 3rd place.