Thomas and Kai Funke, from the north coast of Durban, took the title at the KZN Mirror Regionals. The event was hosted offshore by Point Yacht Club, in Durban. They are pictured waiting for the green light from Race Officer, Kevin Bingham, to launch their Mirror on Sunday February 16. Picture: SOPHIE THOMPSON
Nothing could stop father and son Thomas and Kai Funke from winning the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Mirror Regionals last weekend.
The weather Gods dished up a variety of conditions that tested the small fleet competing in the Regionals that were hosted by Point Yacht Club offshore.
Only two points separated the first two spots, with Funke and his youngest son, Kai, 9, representing the host club, and Steve Hegerstrom and Josh Pretorious representing Henley Midmar Yacht Club.
After their one race discard, both teams were level on 10 points each.
Funke said there was a monumental tussle in the final race that earned him and Kai first place in race 8 and the title for the KZN Regional Championships.
“It was a very close win. We rounded the top mark first but on the second leg of the triangle Steve snuck past. We knew our last chance would be on the next upwind. Steve went right, we hit the left. When we came back together Steve tacked to leebow us but the conditions were really tough and we managed to stay high and escape,” said Funke.
“We held him off on the run and managed to win the race. What a way to end the event - it was a tight race. Well done to Steve and Josh, they are great competitors.”
At the conclusion of racing on Saturday, after a frustrating day of light switchy winds with plenty of rain squalls rolling through the racecourse, Hegerstrom and Pretorious were two points ahead of the Funkes, having charged to the front and winning three out of the four races.
“We weren’t fond of the conditions on Saturday, we are strong wind people. On Sunday, we had big waves and lots of breeze. Kai loved it, he did so well,” said Funke.
On the final day, the struggle to get to the top continued. In race six, Hegerstrom and Pretorious took a knock, finishing fourth which ultimately lost them the championship. The Funkes notched up three wins and a second in their four races, working hard to secure victory.
There was also a battle for third place between Jerome Vermaak sailing with John-Alan Harding and Struan Campbell and crewmate, Taylor Pretorious. Two points separated them after their eight races, with Vermaak and Harding earning bronze. Both teams achieved three third places, and one fifth place.
The novice sailors scored three fourths while Campbell and Pretorious registered four fourths. Race 6 was Vermaak and Harding’s highlight, as they crossed the line in a magnificent second place - giving them the edge on the scorecard.
This weekend, the bigger yachts will be heading offshore to compete in the final day of the Congella Cup. The Point Yacht Club will be hosting the Mirror Nationals next month in the build up to the African Champs and then the Mirror Worlds that will both be taking place offshore of Durban in April.
Entries are already open for the event, with details available on the regatta website http://mirrorworlds25.co.za
Non-Mirror owners are encouraged to charter boats and join in the action.
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