Offshore of Durban:
[Editors note: Racing on Day 5 was postponed due to lack of wind]
The 2025 Marriott Mirror Worlds Champs took place offshore from 14-19 April in Durban, South Africa. The Komweibels, a father and son team from Perth, Australia, demonstrated exceptional sailing skills during the event. They sailed for Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and were in fourth place after only one race on the first day. They led competitors around the racetrack in the first two races on the second day and pushed through to a well-earned second behind countrymen David Meehan sailing with his nephew Henry Olsen.
The Komweibels notched up another five first places in the last two days of racing and a second in the first race on the final day. However, the third day was called off due to dangerous visibility in the cold, wet, and misty conditions. Race Officer Kevin Bingham managed to get in ten races in total with the two days of no racing.
The weather gods dished up a vast variety of conditions for the competitors, from squally wet weather to gnarly, mountainous swells that registered at 4 meters high. James and Harry learned the most from trying to steer in that large swell, as the wind shifts about 30 degrees as you go up the wave and as you drop down again.
Meehan flying the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club’s burgee and Olsen racing for Fremantle Sailing Club were proud of their outcome. They finished on 19 points with podium finishes in all but one race. Local lads Thomas and Kai Funke sailing for Point Yacht Club ended their Worlds in third spot, only one point behind Meehan and Olsen.
The only all-girl team was Tara and Asha Wilson, finishing in ninth place. The first youth boat finished in thirteenth spot, Matthew Jolley and Anna Correa, half a point behind the second youth boat with Jerome Vermaak and John-Alan Harding. The oldest competitor from Benoni Sailing Club was Herbet Osman sailing with his son-in-law Roger Langman.
The hard-working team at Point Yacht Club are delighted with the camaraderie displayed over the six-day event. Bryce Bower, acting Rear Commodore of Dinghies, expressed his delight at seeing these boats with so much history experience the beautiful conditions offshore Durban.
