The KZN Mirror Regionals had no shortage of activity and fierce competition! Sailing their way to victory were father and son duo Thomas and Kai Funke who are now the proud Regional Title holders!
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (18 February 2025) — The KZN Mirror Regionals saw a flurry of activity at the weekend. Following a variety of weather conditions testing the small, competing fleet as well as quite the tussle for the victory spot, it was ultimately father and son duo Thomas and 9-year-old Kai Funke who took the title!
A neck-on-neck feat, Thomas and Kai (representing host club Point Yacht Club) were pinned tightly up against Steve Hegerstrom and Josh Pretorius who represented Henly Midmar Yacht Club.
Following quite the power struggle with Steve and Josh, the turning point came to see the Funke father and son duo claim the win for race 8 and the coveted KZN Mirror Regionals Title.
Explains Thomas of the final race:
“It was very close with nothing in it. 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.
“We held him off on the run and managed to win the race. What a way to end the event. Tight racing. Well done to Steve and Josh, they are great competitors.”
The Funke’s took three wins and a second in total for all their efforts, while Steve and Josh took second place with only two points separating the two competing teams.
In the battle for third place, Jerome Vermaak and John-Alan Harding fought against Struan Campbell and crewmate Taylor Pretorius. Ultimately, it was Jerome and John-Alan who took the bronze.
Next month, Point Yacht Club is gearing up to host mirror Nationals in the build up to the African Champs and then the Mirror Worlds which, in very exciting news, will also be hosted offshore of Durban!
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