HISTORY was made by the DUT sailing team at the University Sport South African Sailing Regatta where they stepped onto the podium for the first time ever after finishing third in the highly contested competition.

The annual sailing event, hosted by Wits University at the Vaal Dam, had welcomed eight varsity teams from around SA for the competition at the weekend. The teams, comprising of a maximum of six sailors, challenged each other to five days of fun-filled competitive team racing, all racing in the one design class of the TSL 14 that accommodates only two sailors.

DUT’s team, led by Minenhle Ngcobo, started off in fine form. The Durbanites caused an upset in race one with their victory over UCT. “The weather conditions at first took some getting used to, if you are not used to light winds, it was quite a challenge and a mindshift for us,” said Ngcobo.

The team, made up of skipper Ngcobo with back-up helm Mthobisi Ndovela and crew members Sbonga Sibiya, Asiphe Ntozakhe, Lindokuhle Nsibande and Dale Shandu, surprised the more recognised sailing teams, as DUT went into day four as the underdogs. Facing University of Pretoria (TUKS) A in the third and fourth playoff, DUT won the opening race and TUKS levelled in the second.

Also Read: Durban’s summer sailing season sets sail with Twilight Race

In the must-win final round robin race, DUT took the honours and won their first podium position at the event. “The last race went down to the wire and certainly will be going down in the memory books where we will cherish the memories,” said Ngcobo. “The conditions were favourable for us with heavy winds, and it was quite an adventurous race. We took all the lessons we have accumulated along the way and put them into practise, which much to our delight, paid off!”

Delighted with the team’s win, coach Gregg Dobson said he was proud of their achievement. “They acquitted themselves so well both on and off the water,” said Dobson. “They achieved the success against a strong field of generational sailors, earning their competitors’ respect. Thanks to DUT and SA Sailing for facilitating access to a sport with a traditionally high barrier to entry. With continued support and commitment to training they can expect to match and succeed this performance.”

The DUT sailors will take a well-deserved festive break before hitting the water back home to complete the 2025/2026 Summer Sailing Season with the ultimate, taking on the top L26 sailors in the MSC Week which celebrates its 50th year.

Results

1 Stellenbosch University; 2 University of Cape Town; 3 Durban University of Technology; 4 University of Pretoria

For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here