Saturday 6th April saw the culmination of 4 days of competitive sailing on Swartvlei where the RS Tera sailors were competing for the title of Annual Champion. Sailors had to compete in any two of the four possible qualifiers (EC provincial champs, WC provincial champs, KZN provincial champs and the SAS Youth Nationals), their best two scores counting towards the overall ranking. The National selections was compulsory for all sailors wanting to be eligible for selections to the Worlds team.
| 1 | James Hellstrom (George) | 2nd year in a row Top sailor overall – also top Pro Sail. | Will be attending his fourth World Champs having made the selections since the age of 10. |
| 2 | Chad Stevenson (Durban) | Top sport sail | |
| 3 | Joshua Woolard (PE) | ||
| 4 | Jethro Brophy-Tintinger (Durban) | ||
| 5 | Ashleigh Hellstrom (George) | Top girl overall second year in a row. Top pro sail girl. | Made selections for the second year in a row. |
| 6 | Justin Harth (PE) | ||
| 7 | Megan Robertson (MosselBay) | Top girl sport sail | |
| 8 | Robyn Hellstrom (George) | Top under 12 sailor | |
| 9 | Bhekumuzi Hani (Knysna) | ||
| 10 | Wanga Mbabe (Knysna) |
Thanks must once again go to Pine Lake Marina who believe in supporting local sailing and have sponsored R50 000 to the team for the 3rd year in a row. The 2014 RS Tera Worlds is to be hosted here in South Africa, on Swartvlei at Pine Lake Marina.
As it is likely to cost each sailor R25 000 to attend the world champs to cover the costs of airfares, charter of boats, entry fee, accommodation and meals – the total needed for the team requires much more fund raising.
Corporate sponsorship for the Worlds team is still being canvassed and any sponsor wishing to get involved and have their branding included on the team’s clothing, should contact Cathy@hilland.co.za
Donations for the team are welcome and can be deposited into the class association account – please specify “Worlds team” as reference.
| Bank details: | |
| RS Tera Class Association | |
| NedBank savings deposit club account | |
| Garden Route Mall | |
| branch code 1536 1400 | |
| Account number: 2002 350 620 | |
Team selected for the World Champs
Besides the overall National Championships, the Selection Regatta itself saw 24 sailors competing in both the Sport and Pro fleets.
A dream come true for a family of sailors.
Ashleigh (15), James (13) and Robyn (11) Hellstrom, having developed their love for sailing and the ocean while sailing around the Indian Ocean with the family 2007 – 2008, have something very special to sail for in Weymouth 2013! Not only have all three children made the selections to the national team, but this year’s trip to the UK will be a special family trip as their Dad, Gavin Hellstrom, is currently fighting brain cancer. The children’s wish is only one, “that dad will be able to come and watch us sail at Weymouth!”
James, having won the bronze medal in the Sport division at the 2011 and 2012 World champs in Denmark and Italy, is hoping to secure another medal at the 2013 World Champs and this one will be for DAD.
Gavin, who has been sailing most of his life, plans to sail on a Hobie 16 from Mossel Bay to Buffalo Bay later in the year(after completing the current course of Chemotherapy) as a fund raiser for the Worlds sailing team and Brain Cancer awareness exercise.
In addition to the article below, the Eden Junior Sailing Fund (a NPO -registration pending, that raises funds for any Eden under 19 sailor who makes selections to a world championships), is raising funds for the following sailors.
Optimist Worlds
Georgou Divaris
Tera Worlds
James Hellstrom
Ashleigh Hellstrom
Robyn Hellstrom
Megan Robertson
Wanga Mbabe
Bhekumuzi Hani
Laser 4.7 Worlds (we are not sure of the RSA Laser 4.7 selection criteria, but Ruben won an international event and I believe has therefore qualified to represent RSA at the Worlds)
Ruben Heard
A golf day to raise funds is planned for the 22nd June at Kingswood Golf Estate, a Wine tasting at Salinas21st June 2013, and a concert with Wendy Oldfield, Suzi Bilyard (details still to be announced). for details or bookings or to sponsor a tee please contact Cathy Avierinos cathy@hilland.co.za or Alastair Fraser afraser@telkomsa.net or Ebenita Divaris divaris@mweb.co.za, or the Eden Junior Sailing Fund at edenjsf@gmail.com
Any donations or sponsorship towards these young sailors would be appreciated –
Bank Details:
Bank: FNB
Branch: Knysna
Branch number: 210214
Account number: 6235 865 9989
Account name: Southern Cape Junior Sailing Fund
Reference: Company/person name
