Thomas Funke and Colin Becker claimed their first sailing title at the KZN Flying Fifteen Regional Championship at Midmar Dam last weekend.

Hosted by Henley Midmar Yacht Club on November 15 and 16, the Ballito-uMhlanga duo topped the eight-boat fleet to secure the provincial title after a challenging weekend of racing.

Sailing aboard Shesha, Funke (44) and Becker (42) finished on 14 points across eight races, two points ahead of seasoned campaigners Patrick Harris and Jeremy Kriek, who boast 13 national titles across three decades.

Both teams won three races. However, Team Shesha also claimed two second places, a third, fourth and fifth, with the latter serving as their discard. Harris and Kriek, from the Highways area, managed only one second place, which proved decisive.

Funke capped off an exceptional season with this victory, adding it to three regional titles (Mirror, 505 and Flying Fifteen), one national title (505) and an African championship. Earlier this year, Funke and his then nine-year-old son, Kai, finished third at the world championship in Durban.

“What an awesome way to finish a good sailing year. It’s been amazing. I am so glad we could bag the KZN champs,” said Funke.

Each race was fiercely contested, with positions changing every leg in shifty breezes. The final standings were only decided in the last race, which Team Shesha led from start to finish.

“The last race was the best one and conditions were really tricky. We knew the points were close and we needed a big one,” said Funke, noting that new gear and recent tweaks to the boat paid off.

Becker, who usually sails larger yachts such as the CFM, relished the experience of sailing with Funke again.

“It was my first time in a Flying Fifteen,” he said.

“Sailing with Thomas was a highlight. His boat was well prepared, and his calls were spot on more often than our competitors.”

Funke returned the praise, emphasising his teammate’s inexperience in the class.

“Colin was incredible. It was his first time racing a Flying Fifteen and he hardly put a foot wrong,” he said.

Overall Results:

1 Thomas Funke / Colin Becker 14pts

2 Patrick Harris / Jeremy Kriek 16pts

3 Paul Changuion / Tim Duiguid 19pts

4 Myles White / Estelle Buys 29pts

5 Anthony McMillan / Farrell McMillan 32pts

6 Jerome McLaughlin / Connor McLaughlin 32pts

7 Anton Ellens / Rob Finlay 37pts

8 Simon Musgrove / Kevin Wallace 56pts

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