At the opening ceremony for the 60th SAP 5O5 World Championships held in Port Elizabeth from 23 March to 3 April 2015 the City of Nelson Mandela Bay per kind favour of Prince Alfred’s Guards raised the country’s largest flag on the flagpole of the Donkin Reserve.
After the singing of the South African National Anthem (sung in this video by Ladysmith Black Mambazo) the flags of the other countries taking part were raised (on a smaller flagpoles) and their national anthems played.
The it was off on a walk along the cities Route 67 to the City Hall for a civic reception and the prizegiving for the Pre Worlds.
Top three finishers:
- Mike Holt and Carl Smit – USA
- Ian Pinnel and Johannes Tellen – GBR
- Sandy Higgins and Paul Marsh – AUS
Top three South Africans:
- Peter Funke and Thomas Funke
- James Largier and Richard Hutton-Squire
- Alexander Ham and Warwick Ham
After the flag raising and at the official welcome by the Deputy Executive Mayor, Chippa Ngcolomba, held at the City Hall, the Deputive Executive Mayor presented this speech:
This evening we take pleasure in welcoming some of the world’s top sailors who have made the journey to the Nelson Mandela Bay, in honour and in pursuance of the 60th 505 SAP World Championships, proudly hosted by the Algoa Bay Yacht Club.
Indeed a world class regatta which have been gathering yachting and sea lovers from many countries over the years and deservedly considered one of the finest and most prestigious annual sailing regatta competitions in the world. The regatta is a unique, very impressive show and yes indeed the Nelson Mandela Bay is privileged to host the 2015 edition of the championship.
Allow me to offer the hearty and warm greetings of the Executive Mayor on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to all the sailors, participants, the organizers, and certainly the sponsors who are here to share this wonderful spectacle of yachting with these world class sportsmen and women from Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, South Africa and the United States of America.
There is no doubt that seeing the world’s best competitors of the international 505, a one-design high performance two-person dinghy , with spinnaker at its best is a memorable spectacle. It will not leave either the racing experts or new spectators indifferent. This event will surely prompt even more people to experience the exhilaration of yachting and the ocean, capture new imaginations, resulting in new sailors setting off into the open sea.
This regatta brings men and women together, and knits their friendship with a tight knot. There is a wonderful saying known to sailors which goes: “No one will find out who his true friends are and who is only pretending, more quickly than the sea..”
So this tells us that at sea, a skill to guide a ship and the knowledge of navigation are not the only important factors. The success of a voyage largely depends on the personal qualities of each crew member. Courage and responsibility play an important role here, but loyalty to the traditions of the maritime fraternity is overriding.
Needless to say, I am confident that you will cope with each challenge, that you will obviate the obstacles and race with the wind.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It would be remiss of me if we do not commend and congratulate the host, the Algoa Bay Yacht Club and wish them a 60th World Championship filled with great success and spin-offs that will continue to add exponential value to our city. Keep doing what you are doing to promote our beautiful city and we look forward to continuing our wonderful relationship for many years to come. Well done guys!
In conclusion, allow me to extend our personal invitation to the sailors, team personnel and officials in true African spirit and hospitality to enjoy every moment in our proud city and encourage all of you to spend time to explore some of our unique offerings – a city with a magnificent maritime history, sailing culture, endearing hospitality and friendliness unique to its location and its people.
We thank you.
