Ballito family sailing teams finish third and fourth at world championships
Thomas and Kai Funke (3rd) and Paul and Polly Changuion (4th) were the best placed South Africans in the regatta.
Two North Coast sailing teams were South Africa’s best finishers at last week’s Marriott Mirror World Champs in Durban.
Salt Rock father-and-son Thomas and Kai Funke (9) finished third overall, while Ballito business owner Paul Changuion and his daughter Polly (18) grabbed fourth. The duos competed in the world championships of the Mirror sailing discipline, which was raced over six days in the Durban Bay last week.
Teams faced a wide range of conditions, from wintry wind and rain to mountainous swells of over four metres, which tested even the most experienced sailors. Ten individual races were completed over six days, of which the eight best scores counted.
It was the Changuions who delivered the best start in their first worlds competition, registering a win in the only race on day one to give them the overnight lead. They lost some steam in the middle stretch, before finishing strong with two third-place results and a second-placed finish to claim the fourth overall position on 29 points.
Photo: Chris Clark.
“I really enjoyed it, it is special to sail with your daughter and the mirror class is just so good at that. It is the perfect class for a family. It is fun but still very competitive sailing,” said Paul.
One place ahead in the overall standings, the Funkes were a model of consistency over the race week. The duo finished in the top three for all eight of their races that counted, including an exhilarating win in Race 8. Their final score of 20 points was just one behind the second-placed team of David Meehan and Henry Olsen from Perth, Australia.
“I loved it, the regatta was amazing! Nice racing and good competition,” said 9-year-old Kai.
“The conditions were hectic but cool and our little boat, Shesha is amazing. The best day was the last day, which had amazing conditions and huge waves.”
His dad Thomas said he did not want the race week to end.
“What an amazing event and proof that Durban and Point Yacht Club are world-class championship venues,” said Thomas.
The overall winners were a dominant James and Harry Komweibel, also from Perth, who registered seven wins and a second in their best eight races. For a full list of results visit the Point Yacht Club’s social media pages.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
