SEASPORTS
17th Horsburgh Challenge (Southern Route) Our yearly rendezvous for seasoned and new sailors alike, the 17th Horsburgh Challenge (Southern Route) on 12 & 13 February 2022, didn't disappoint! Two days of clear blue skies and constant but patchy breeze gave competitors a good challenge for all 4 races completed over the weekend. The Horsburgh leg did not materialise for the second year running as it was adjusted in view of both the COVID-19 situation and general safety considerations. The first day was the classic long passage race, which sent the sailors cruising along the Southern Route with scenic views of the East Coast shoreline for a change. Interestingly, the Organisation Committee also had to take into consideration the restrictions as the regatta coincided with the rehearsals for Singapore Air Show 2022, but this gave our sailors the best seats in the audience to watch the fighter jets and RSAF pilots do their thing. After a slight delay, the AP flag was dropped and we had a clear start at
6 | BOSUN’S CALL
0721hrs and a beautiful sunrise lighting up the horizon, giving our sailors plenty of light to navigate their first race. By noon, the biggest and fastest boat of the fleet, Mystic River helmed by Pang Kim Ann was already close to the midway point at Approach buoy while the smaller boats were doing their best to keep up and catch up. On the back-end, the organising team was deliberating on whether to shorten the course whist taking into consideration the strong currents, on and off breeze and the varying PY ratings. As the breeze picked up, the final decision was to let the boats go all out and to maintain the finishing line at Changi Sailing Club. Mystic River was the first to cross the finishing line at 1447hrs, taking line honours and first place after corrected timing for their stellar performance. In
