The first day of the Lipton Challenge Cup was sailed offshore in ideal Durban conditions yesterday.

Mark Sadler and Rick Nankin sailing Daly’s Insurance for the Theewaters Sports Club had the best possible start to win the first race of the 2003 Lipton Challenge Cup. Dave Hudson’s Greenlight, sailing for the Royal Cape Yacht Club who had held second position for the entire race, and defending champions Ian Ainslie’s MSC Donna Mia sailing for the Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club engaged in a titanic duel for second place. With no more than a 100m to go to the finish, Greenlight and MSC Donna Mia exchanged tacks furiously as each jockeyed for position. A container ship entering the harbour added to the confusion as Greenlight edged forward to finish in second place half a boat length ahead of MSC Donna Mia.

Results (after the first race)

1st Daly’s Insurance Mark Sadler/Rick Nankin, Theewaters Sports Club

2nd Greenlight Dave Hudson, Royal Cape Yacht Club

3rd MSC Donna Mia Ian Ainslie, Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club

4th Dynamic Id Systems Paul Lagesse, Hottentots Holland Beach Sailing Club

5th Orion Challenger George Amoils/Martin Lamprecht, Royal Natal Yacht Club