Several residents of Carletonville were among a group of sailors who were part of a team from Boskop Yacht Club that participated in the prestigious Lipton Cup recently.

Hans Mantz was the trimmer, and Marcel van der Hoek was the logistical manager and reserve.

The team competed in this prestigious event in Cape Town from August 25 to 29. Mantz is also the owner of the yacht H20 Tech, used for the race.

Other members were Gerhard van Niekerk (foredeck), Tammy van Niekerk (helm), and Louis van der Walt (marshall trimmer).

The well-known Carletonville resident Michael Robinson was the team manager.

The Lipton Challenge Cup, one of South Africa’s most prestigious sailing trophies, has been held since 1909.

Although the team practices on Boskop Dam between Welverdiend and Potchefstroom, they faced teams from coastal towns that can train in the same conditions as the Lipton Cup every day.

In the end, the team finished 13th overall out of 17 teams. The race was won by a team from Hermanus Yacht Club.

The same team also excelled at the Stadt 23 Free State Provincials at the Vaal Dam just prior to the Lipton Cup. This star Boskop Yacht Club team won eight first places as well as a second place during this event.