Brothers set sail against heavy winds in international regatta
Despite their boat breaking and capsizing on day one, the Maharaj brothers are determined to sail on and fight against the tide as the world-renowned Marriot Mirror Worlds regatta continues until the weekend.
BROTHERS Keyuren and Seshen Maharaj are among the competitors taking part in the internationally-acclaimed Marriott Mirror Worlds regatta that began at the Durban Beach Club off Point Beach on Monday and runs until Saturday (April 19).
Mechanical engineering student Keyuren, the Commodore of the UKZN Yacht Club, and his brother Seshen, a matric pupil of Glenwood High School, are coming off the African championships, which were held on Thursday and Friday. They said they have learnt a lot about the boat as it was their first time racing on one.
“Yesterday (Monday) was extremely tough. The wind was blowing, and quite a few boats had to retire, including us. Our rudder broke off, which led to a huge swell that capsized us. We capsized four times and were rescued by a safety boat. We will now call the boat ‘rudderless’. The event is going to be spectacular over the next four days, and as much as we’ll be racing, I think that I’ll become an expert in boat repairs.
Also read: Local sailors up for international Mirror Worlds event
“We will be hosting sailors from around the globe, with 33 boats participating. The regatta will take place off the Point Waterfront at the Point Yacht Club beach facility and will be visible all along the beachfront, from La Lucia to uShaka, offering a spectacular showcase for both locals and tourists. This event also highlights and promotes the quality and beauty of our beaches and ocean waters, which is especially important as we approach the Easter weekend and the upcoming public holidays,” said Keyuren.
He added, “It’s a fantastic moment for local tourism, but we need to work together to get the word out and ensure it reaches our communities and beyond. This is an incredible opportunity to place eThekwini on the global map for positive reasons, not just as a world-class destination but also as a city capable of hosting top-tier international events. The Mirror Worlds could have easily been hosted in another country, or even in another South African city, but the choice to bring it to our shores is something we should embrace with pride and purpose.”
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