Steady growth continues for Sailing

The Uganda Laser Open remained the biggest event on the Uganda Sailing Federation sailing calendar in 2016.

The Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club, Kaazi as usual was the host in which over 30 competitors participated. The little known but interesting wind-driven sport usually attracts competitors from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and the United Kingdom.

Dave Carroll from the Naivasha Yacht Club in Kenya won the 2016 regatta in a mixed Standard, Radial and 4.7fleet of 32 boats. He got 16 points out of 10 races.

Reint Bakema of the Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club was second with 25 points while Imamu Said of Tanzania claimed the third position with 29 points.

Pat Knox from the Dar-es-Salaam Yacht Club, was the best lady sailor on the day in the races that were sailed in moderate winds, with strong competetion in all sections of the fleet.

With 31 points on board, Stephen Luswata came in as the best senior while Mustafa Nganzi from Tanzania was the first youth.

 Alain Chanet in action during a sailing event to celebrate Nyanza Sailing Club's 80 years of existence at Kaazi, Janury 31 2016.

Uganda's Phillip Betts, Gordon Bell, Kim Bowerman and Robert Moodie as well as Vedastus Alphonce and Chris Shaw from Tanzania and Kenya respectively were also good, finishing among the top ten.

That was in March, but before Sailors, Bikers and runners were involved in the Nyanza Sailing Club 80 birthday celebrations at Kaazi.

Experienced sailors Robert Moode, O'Brian Diarmuid, Jenny Raff, Phillipe Golar and Eric Sorel among others participated in the sailing in one the main events that brought together different families in the epic sports day.

The outing also attracted bikers with Ismail Ssebayigga, Blaise Peccia and Marc Schweiger taking the first three positions in the men's category while Mary Shockledge, Fivat Noemi and Anna Henderson were top in the ladies 25km biking challenge.

There were also the runners who competed in the 5 and 10km races; starting at Kaazi and going along Lake Victoria, through the challenging road, hilly and dusty terrain.

With an activity filled year with competitions like; the Island Race, Just Sailing, Ladies' Helm, Kingfisher Trophy and Russel Dering Martin Trophy among other races, sialing is one of the active water sports that despite having a little fan base, is alive and active in the country.

In the Island Race competition Stephen Luswata crowned the year by taking the boat and handicap victories in December while Gordon Bell had also won the same accolades including the Handicap and Monthly Mug competition of November.

Another double winner was Dick Stockley, who was the boat winner in both the November and December competitions

Annabel Bowerman and Rebecca Sankar were the boat and handicap winners in the Ladies' Helm trophy while the Kingfisher trophy of November went to Dick Stockley (boat winner) and Luke Gormley (handicap winner).