Alberton sailors participate in the Mirror Worlds
Teaming up to take on the world’s best in the upcoming Marriott Mirror Worlds hosted by Point Yacht Club offshore of Durban from April 14 to 19, four Johannesburg sailors prepare to do South Africa proud.
The Malan brothers, Mika (12) and Max (14) from Alberton will pair with father and son sailors Duncan (22) and Mark Hawksworth from Glenhazel. Young Mika will race with Mark, while Max will compete with Duncan in the six-day international regatta.
The two teams have been sailing together for the last two years.
Mika will be making his international debut, competing in his first ever Worlds while his older brother Max has competed on the worlds stage twice, having represented South Africa at the African Champs in the Optimist class in Langebaan in 2023 and then in the Seychelles last year.
This will be Mark and Duncan’s third Mirror Worlds, previously racing together in 2013 at Lough Derg Yacht Club in Ireland and in 2015 here in Theewater Sports Club where they finished twelfth.
A proud Mika said, “Mark and I are two times Mirror National Champions, having won the 2023 and 2024 titles.
And we finished a respectable third in Durban recently, after an incredible regatta with strong competitors.”
Adding, Mark chips in, ‘‘Stand out moments from the recent nationals was the extremely close racing and in particular, winning the last two races.
“I haven’t sailed many events over the past two years other than the previous 2 Mirror Nationals, which I won with Mika. I’ve gone the full circle after graduating as a junior from Optimists and then on to Mirrors followed by the Fireball and J22 classes. It’s been a pleasure to recapture my youth by sailing with Duncan and now Mika.”
Mika reported back after the Nationals: “It was a lot of fun but also nerve-wracking taking on the extremely experienced fleet and it felt good when we found our mojo in the last two races. Compared to most of the competitors, we don’t have the same training conditions and opportunities since we live inland.”
Max and Mika have only sailed in Durban once before, in the harbour in 2022 participating in an Optimist training session. It was a memorable experience for the youngster, with the big ships going in and out the harbour.
Mika has never sailed in an international competition and is very excited. “I would like to finish in the first 10.” While Max is a little bit more relaxed in the build-up as he has already represented South Africa, with a wily smile, he admits, “I would like to beat Mika and Mark.”
Asked if there is a bit of rivalry now that the Hawksworths will be vying against each other, “I feel a bit conflicted, we sailed two World Championships and seven Mirror Nationals together, narrowly missing out on winning and coming second overall on four occasions. There’s a healthy rivalry; it’s just a matter of time before he beats me.” confides Mark.
And Duncan’s hopes for the Mirror Worlds? “Hopefully a top 10 result but other than that I’m just going to enjoy it and have fun.”
If anyone would like to join the Malan boys on their home turf at Victoria Lake Club in Germiston, and get involved in sailing, you can contact Philip Malan on 083 455 2642.
With the Marriot Mirror Worlds fast approaching, the Hawksworths and Malans are aiming to impress offshore of Durban next week.
