WATCH: Sailors cruise to victory despite low winds

A fleet of sailing boats took to the waters in participation of the annual Benoni Open regatta.

February 25, 2025

Jani de Beer 1 minute read

The fleet of 35 vessels slowly sailing past the starting line.

With a slight breeze of only 1 knot, a fleet of 35 sailing enthusiasts took to the water for the annual Benoni Open regatta, held on February 22 and 23.

Drifting off the banks of Homestead Dam hosts, Benoni Sailing Club signalled the start of the first race just after 11:00 on Saturday.

Their sails hardly bellowed but the keen sailors, 10 Optimists, four Dabchicks and 21 senior participants remained determined to complete two races.

With the winds blowing in their favour on Sunday, an additional four races were completed in the two-day event.

Sailing away as the winner of the Junior Fleet, Mika Malan claimed top honours followed by James Tanner and Luan Bester taking third.

All three sailors were competing in the Optimists division.

Nigel Trevarthen won the Senior division on his Flying Dutchman followed by Rudolf Holm and his Laser and Clive Whitburn also on a Laser finishing third.

Event organiser Dudley Thomson congratulated the winners as well as all the participants for their tenacity and patience during an event over-shadowed by low winds.

“We look forward to hosting the event in 2026 and hope to see new faces taking to the water,” he said.