The False Bay Yacht Club Spring Regatta served up three days of sailing that showed off the full spectrum of spring conditions, from flat calms to exhilarating breeze.

Friday: Racing Abandoned

The regatta opened on Friday with a medium-distance course set, but the wind had other ideas. Just as the fleet rounded the second mark, the breeze disappeared completely. With boats drifting backwards and bobbing off, closing in on the shore, the race committee made the call to abandon racing for the day.

Saturday: Breeze On

Saturday delivered the best sailing of the weekend. The offshore class enjoyed a medium-distance course with 20 knots of wind along stretches of the course, making for fast and exciting racing. The smaller inshore classes stayed closer to the shoreline and managed to complete two competitive races, taking full advantage of the improved conditions.

Sunday: A Final Effort

On the last day, the fleet squeezed in one more race before the wind faded once again, leaving sailors drifting in light airs and closing the series with a calm finish.

Ullman in the Fleet

Ullman staff were also out on the water. Morgan Evans and Allyssa van Rensburg raced aboard a First 40, recently fitted with two new kites and a brand-new jib from the Cape Town loft. On Sunday, Tony Strutt stepped in for Allyssa to finish out the regatta.

With Ullman-powered sails flying and plenty of support from the shore, the event had a special connection: the Spring Regatta was proudly sponsored by Ullman Sails South Africa.

Despite the tricky conditions, the regatta brought together a vibrant mix of classes and crews, with moments of both patience and excitement that captured the essence of sailing in False Bay.

photos Bronny Daniels