Experience the Team Sailing League – Sailing’s T20

Short, sharp, tactical, furious and a whole lot of fun is what the Team Sailing League (TSL) will offer competitors and spectators on Saturday 12 October from 10:00 am in the Port of Port Elizabeth.

The inaugural South African Sailing Eastern Cape TSL regatta sponsored by Coca-Cola will be sailed between 8 teams, including an entry from the NSRI’s Station 6 who may just be the sleeper team.

All the boats being sailed are identical and brand new TSL14’s – South African versions of the 420 Dinghy.

‘Normal’ offshore sail racing is seen as a specialist Cinderella sport in which races take place between different sized yachts and the first yacht to cross the finishing line is not necessarily the first yacht on the winner’s podium as yachts are rated according to individual Handicap.

In the TSL all sailors sail exactly the same 2-man dinghy as part of a team – all sailors young or old, male or female sail against each other in a round robin knock out format in which the winner takes all.

The inaugural TSL will take place in the Port of Port Elizabeth and will offer spectators a view of the cut and thrust from the balconies and lawns of the clubs and restaurants in the ‘leisure’ precinct of the harbour. The racing is expected to start at 10:00 am on Saturday 12 October with the prize giving at 3:30 pm – all weather dependent. From 12:00 midday onward the Port Elizabeth Deepsea Andking Club (PEDSAC) will present a Craft Beer Festival for thirsty spectators.

The sail plan of the TSL14 consists of a modern main and jib configuration that is ideal for team sailing and is durable under extended use. David Rae of North Sails says, “The sails have been designed so the TSL14 can be sailed in a variety of wind conditions with an easy main reef system. The jib is designed for easy rigging with quick hanks. The TSL14 is well balanced and easy to sail making it a fantastic boat for team sailing and teaching new people to sail. This league is an exciting initiative from SA Sailing giving South Africans from all walks of life the opportunity to sail.”

Each race consists of two teams of three two man teams sailing against each other on a designated course for approximately 15 minutes. The winning team is decided by combining the results of each team’s boats. TSL racing employs the low points scoring system. The boat finishing 1st scores 1 point, 2nd scores 2 points, and so on. The points scored by the boats in each team are added together. The team scoring the lowest points wins.

In 3 boat team racing the rule for winning is 10 points or less, which translates to the following finishing positions: 1-2-anything, 1-3-anything, 2-3-4, 2-3-5 or 1-4-5.

The TSL will have an on the water umpire to make decisions re protests or transgressions of the sailing rules immediately.

The TSL14 boats and format are available to schools, corporates and interested bodies for Team Building and sail training.

Video: Experience the Team Sailing League – Sailing’s T20

More Info on Experience the Team Sailing League – Sailing’s T20 here: https://teamsailing.co.za/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyPE
Facebook:

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.