Trans Agulhas Challenge

[Manos]

Hi Guys

As you may know, the coveted yearly Trans Agulhas challenge is starting on the 28th of December. This race is well known as one of the most punishing in the world, and has been running since 1987.

Falcon have put up a webpage with live updates for all interested parties to follow the event at

http://www.falconinflatables.co.za/okfoods.htm

Feel free to follow the race.

[gavin]

Manos have you seen this article on the web about the 1999 race http://www.mecheng.sun.ac.za/aboutus.../Megnuus7.html with regard to the racing Hysucat with one engine its interesting gavin

[Manos]

Thanks for the msg. Looked @ the article. These cat boats must be MIGHTY FAST When I go to South Africa in Feb will try to go and have a test ride on one of them to see for my self.

Cheers

[Manos]

Just posted that link to SAfrica and this is the reply I got from them.


QUOTE
---------
Hi Manos

Regarding the Hysucat page, data is totally inacurate - it did not even finish the race! I don't know where they get this from...

Regards,

PIETER HEYNEMAN

ps. results have been posted, also have a look at
www.xmarine.com
for live coverage

UNQUOTE
------------

[gavin]

I dont know Manos if this article is a spoof but whoever posted it has apparantly provided contact details at the bottom of the article, it would be foolish for anyone to try to pull a stunt like this though,there are obviously two schools of thought here, one taking the race up until the last day and one viewpoint including the last day racing which according to the article didnt count, the article also talks about 2x 60 hp motors, in the pic the Hysucat has a single on cheers gavin

[Manos]

I don't know what the article is. However, I tend to believe my mates in FALCON. Any way will be in SAfrica in Feb and will definately go and see and also try the boat out. Will let everyone know what I think (and will make it as objective as poss)
Happy New Year

[Brian]

Why don't we wait till Charles gets back from his holyears?
I believe that Malan Conradie is a mate of Charles so he can throw some light on this.

[Manos]

Sounds like a good idea.

[Manos]

This afternoon’s surf action was cancelled after only three laps in the first heat due to the safety risks that the surf conditions posed. The night stage will be contested from Gansbaai Harbour to Hermanus Harbour from approximately 20h00 tonight.

The Trans Agulhas will end tomorrow morning when the boats reach the Strand in Cape Town at approximately 09h45am.

FIRST BOAT
R1 Dirk Schlechter Andre Beuster OK Foods - Falcon
d1 2:19:30
d2 1:13:47
d3 2:13:47
d4 1:50:49
d5 1:09:53
overall 8:47:46

No 2
R451 Elmore Kirsten Marcel Van Ruler Immaneul Racing (This is a FALCON BOAT TOO!! see second photo)
2:31:36
1:19:25
2:23:00
2:08:28
1:17:47
oveall 9:40:16

No3 R3 Thomas Chowles Marius Minnas Wilcat / Scania
2:35:18
1:14:42
2:13:37
2:56:14
1:09:30
overall 10:9:21

No 4
R8 Nico Vermeulen Anton Van Zyl Wildcat / Plant Hire
3:02:46
1:27:28
2:22:33
2:12:37
1:26:36
overall 10:32:0

No5
R7 Stephan Terblance Christo Marais Wildcat
2:44:23
1:23:55
3:33:33
2:41:47
1:56:30
overall 12:20:8

No 6 R2 Manie Fourie Morne Simon Infanta
3:10:46
1:10:31
3:33:33
2:56:30
2:59:02
overall 13:50:22

[Manos]

This is looks like great fun. I'm going to be there next uear (if all well)

[gavin]

Well done to the Falcon boats, they seem to be doing excellent from the results you posted ,I like the pattern at the front of the Falcon race boats, it looks cool the way it extends under the hull, When Charles is back Manos ask him to send you the photos he has of the Hysucat factory in S.A , he also has a pic of the hull less the tubes.What do you think of the Zap Cats on the Trans Agulhas web site? have you ever been in one? I have watched a dvd of them racing very impressive gavin

[Manos]

Gavin,

Thanks for the comments. Falcon boats (the 700 RSR in particuar) are build on a very fast hull with high tech materials. So power to weight ratio is very high.
Re ZAPCATS I've never been on one (Yet ). I have asked arround and opinions (as you would expect) vary from some say they are crap to some say that they are excellent.
I think I'll try a ZAPCAT in Feb if I get the chance.
Certainly in the XMarine web site the photos of ZAPCATS racing on top of those waves look realy cool
From seeing those I think that they must be fun boats.

[Manos]

1 R1 Dirk Schlechter Andre Beuster OK Foods - Falcon 2:19:30 1:13:47 2:13:47 1:50:49 1:09:53 OVERALL 8:47:46
2 R451 Elmore KirstenMarcel Van Ruler Immaneul Racing 2:31:36 1:19:25 2:23:00 2:08:28 1:17:47 OVERALL 9:40:16
3 R3 Thomas Chowles Marius Minnas Wilcat / Scania 2:35:18 1:14:42 2:13:37 2:56:14 1:09:30 10:9:21 OVERALL
4 R8 Nico VermeulenAnton Van Zyl Wildcat / Plant Hire
3:02:46 1:27:28 2:22:33 2:12:37 1:26:36 10:32:00 OVERALL
5 R7 Stephan Terblance Christo Marais Wildcat 2:44:23 1:23:55 3:33:33 2:41:47 1:56:30 12:20:08 OVERALL
6 R2Manie Fourie Morne SimonInfanta 3:12:46 1:10:31 3:33:33 2:56:30 2:59:02 13:50:22OVERALL

In the attached photo No1 and No2 FALCON BOATS

WARM WELL DONE TO ALL COMPETING CREWS!!