ENTRIES for the much-anticipated ‘Mirror Worlds’ have closed with 33 registered boats readying themselves to hit the water in the hopes of leading the fleet around the course just off the Golden Mile.

Durban’s Kevin Bingham, who is making his international debut as Race Officer, will be calling the shots. The Marriott Mirror Worlds will be hosted by the Point Yacht Club from April 14-19. As a precursor to the main event, the Mirror fleet will head offshore for the Pre-Worlds and African Championship on Thursday and finish off on Friday this week. On Saturday, the sailors will tweak and repair their crafts on their rest day before registration and measurement on Sunday for the Worlds.

The top contenders hoping to wave the local flag high are recently crowned National champions, Paul and Polly Changuion (Royal Natal Yacht Club), along with Thomas and Kai Funke (Point Yacht Club). Cape Town’s Grant Ekermans and Luke Liebrecht (Theewater Sports Club) are expected to also be charging at the front, while Henley Midmar Yacht Club’s Mark Hawsworth and Mika Malan will work hard to earn loads of podium finishes.

Also read: Strong winds test competitors in Point Yacht Club’s Congella Cup

A South African team will be eager to win and earn a third Mirror Worlds title after brother and sister duo, Michaela and Ryan Robinson, twice won the Mirror Worlds – the first time at Lough Derg Yacht Club in Ireland in 2013 and then on their home waters in 2015.

The organisers revealed, “There is a fabulous mix of competitors, with the youngest clocking in at seven years old – young Asha Wilson, sailing for Wagga Wagga Sailing Club from New South Wales, is competing with her mother Tara. This will be Tara’s fourth Mirror Worlds that she is participating in.

“The most experienced sailor is Durban’s very own Campbell Alexander who will be sailing with his granddaughter, Lily Alexander, from Bath in the UK. Shortly after finishing the Mirror Worlds, Campbell will be jetting off to Weymouth to compete in the Flying Fifteen World Champs.

“With the absence of the defending champions, a new team will be hoisting the Marriott Mirror Worlds trophy next week Saturday after six days of highly competitive and tactical sailing held in one of the best sailing locations in the world, by Point Yacht Club offshore of Durban.”

For more information, visit www.mirrorworlds25.com or like the Official Facebook page, Mirror Worlds 2025.

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