Please join us in wishing the following members many happy returns for their birthdays this month:
Royal Cape Yacht Club stalwart, Rob Meek died during an armed robbery on the Wild Coast, Transkei in the early hours of 1 January 2014. An accomplished sailor and long time supporter of the sport, Meek sailed in many an ABYC week.
The RCYC wrote on their web site; “A great sailor and club man, Rob Meek, was senselessly and violently taken from this world last night, while on holiday with his family in the Transkei. Thank you Rob for a lifetime of positive sailing. We love you and are devastated by your tragic passing. Our deepest sympathies and condolences to Di and the Meek family.”
The 62 year old Rob Meek, one of South Africa’s top sailors and urban designers, was shot whilst holidaying in a self catering guest house on the Wild Coast near Port St Johns. Rob was shot in the groin by one of three armed men wearing balaclavas, who had apparently intended robbing the group, and then ran away.
Meek’s wife Di and daughters, Louise, 28, and Claudia, 25, tried in vain for two hours to resuscitate him at a nearby hospital.
Rob had planned to return to Cape Town on Thursday so he could be back in time for the start of the Cape to Rio yacht race on Saturday.
Rob was a founding member of GAPP Architects and Urban Designers.
Tributes to Rob on Twitter:
RIP Rob Meek, my Mentor. A Captains Captain, a Gentlemans Gentleman, inspiration and example to us all. pic.twitter.com/gAM7l52byr
— Howard Richman (@Obzcyclist) January 1, 2014
https://twitter.com/kathisatchel/status/418635319777308672
Fatal end to new year celebration: Rob Meek posed for a photo with family and friends at a beach … http://t.co/OEPyEJ4eMs #Africa #RSA
— Biko Steph (@asmareeno) January 2, 2014
When does this stop, when is enough bloodshed – enough? http://t.co/VUIhDJe5Bp
— jacci rudling (@JacciR2) January 1, 2014
Rob Meek. Mourning the tragic loss. Friend, professional colleague, Trustee – South African Ocean Racing Trust… http://t.co/XP2waDQLam
— MariusLovesH2O (@MariusLovesH2O) January 1, 2014
RIP Rob Meek, condolences to Di and family at such a tragic death of a man of the sea
— janet heard (@janetheard) January 1, 2014
RIP Rob Meek. My thoughts are with your family & loved ones http://t.co/LkuoWy9dqV
— Jemima (@jemimamadsen) January 1, 2014
Rob Meek, a great yachtsman – a net contributor to the sport of sailing, a gentleman, a friend .Our thoughts go… http://t.co/imQ6VXBAvQ
— Trevor Wilkins (@wilcopix) January 1, 2014
Rob Meek, one of SA's top sailors and urban designers, was murdered at midnight on New Year while on holiday at a Wild Coast beach house.
— Cape Times (@CapeTimesSA) January 2, 2014
https://twitter.com/SandysView/status/418640308700577792
https://twitter.com/ABYCpe/status/418640371384459264
https://twitter.com/CA668/status/418640589819621376
Rob Meek geskiet sekondes ná nuwejaarsfoto http://t.co/g6preW0ku6 via @volksbladnuus
— Lizz van Rensburg (@LizzvRensburg) January 2, 2014
Just in case you are missing the ‘old’ look ABYC web site you can see it in the image below.
The changes to the ABYC site have been made in order to:
Your comments, ideas and suggestions in the comments section below please.
Get a rare peek inside a racing yacht. The Explora was christened during November 2013 in Cape Town, from where she will set sail for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 4 January 2014.
Shared by: Alan Straton
Click here to see the Sailing Videos shared by members AND/OR Click here to submit and share your own.
The start gun for the 2014 edition of the Cape to Rio yacht race will be fired at 2:00 pm on 4 January 2014. The cut off is on 31 January 2014 at 10:00 pm.
The Royal Cape Yacht Club team behind the organising of the race which has 38 entrants are: Ray Matthews – Race Chairman, Saths Moodley – Treasurer, Toni Mainprize – Race Secretary, Hylton Hale – Race Technical, Derek Shuttleworth – Committee Member, Gary Sindler – Safety & Scrutineering, Marcus Reuter – Shipping & Logistics and Bram Weller – Committee Member & Navy representative.
Click HERE for the online 2014 Cape To Rio tracking.
The start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race in Sydney, Australia took place on 26 December 2013. The start of the race was in Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, and the finish will be in the Derwent River, Hobart, Tasmania. The race is a 628 nautical mile passage race.
These images are courtesy of ace sailing and nautical photographer Carlo Borlenghi under contract to Rolex.
Shared by: Alan Straton
Links:
The start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart on a sparkling Sydney Harbour was very fast. A reach down the habour was led by Wild Oats XI from Perpetual LOYAL and Beau Geste. The first two maxis (100 footers) were chased by and nearly caught by Karl Kwok’s new 80 footer. A real drag race that saw them exit the harbour in a very fast time.
Click here to see the Sailing Videos shared by members AND/OR Click here to submit and share your own.
