Point Yacht Club

Thank you Glenwood High School for sharing this.

Congratulations to Glenwood High School Old Boy, Chaz Hansen (Class of 2025), on successfully completing his very first Vasco da Gama Ocean Race, and what a historic race it was!
The 55th Vasco da Gama Ocean Race delivered one of the closest finishes in the event’s history, with only TWO SECONDS separating the top two yachts after a gruelling 265 nautical mile journey from Durban to East London.

Chaz and the crew of CFM II crossed the line in an incredible time of:
1 Day, 10 Hours, 25 Minutes and 46 Seconds
They were narrowly edged into second place by Regardless 2 in what has become the closest finish ever recorded in the race!

As one of the crew responsible for the “two ends of the boat,” Chaz shared:
“My standout moment had to definitely be when we were averaging about 15 knots and hit 20.1 max and planning became a norm.”

Reflecting on the demanding offshore challenge, he added:
“The biggest lesson I have learnt about sailing over the horizon is how important it is to trust your team with your life and work together through tough situations.”

At just 18 years old, Chaz is continuing his blue water sailing journey aboard CFM II, with major upcoming events including the Tuzi Tekwini and MSC Week, while also completing his Coastal Skippers qualification.
“I am building up my miles and experience nicely!”

We are incredibly proud of Chaz and look forward to following his sailing career as he continues to fly the Glenwood flag high!

📸 Photographer: Trevor Hulleman / Colin Becker

So... while everyone is all enthused and excited about Vasco...

Why not come out and participate in this year's MSC Week?

Entries are still open. ..

📆 6 - 10 July
📍: Offshore Durban
MSC Week incorporating the ORC Nationals & L26 Champs hosted by Point Yacht Club

Day entries are available too, if you can't commit to the whole week.

The competitive entry list so far stands at.
ORC Nationals
Argo / Bellissima / CFM / Free Spirit / Gambit / Impi / Regardless / Spirit of Anna Wardley / TNT Racing / Wuku
L26 Champs
Blue Tango 2 / BNR / Cheetah / Container World / Element / Esmeralda / Go Dutch / iThemba / Lindiwe / PYC Challenger / Velocity
Open Class
C’est La Vie

🖱 To enter go to https://www.sailing.org.za/events/330403 🖱

Come & with us as we

How true... One incredible finish.

We are still reliving the moment... Two seconds...

Thank you for sharing this with us Anthony Engelbrecht.

To Regardless 2 and CFM II - thank you for entertaining us and getting the sailing community buzzing.

📰 Read all about it... 📰

Thank you Wendy Sithole and Thuli Dlamini for venturing offshore on Sunday.

You can read their wrap up story in the Berea Mail online and in the paper tomorrow.

https://www.citizen.co.za/.../regardless-2-sails-to.../

These gorgeous photos © to Thuli 'Thuligraphy' Dlamini.

And they have done it!!!

2 Days 1 Hour 40 Minute 11 Seconds. Completing his fifth Vasco da Gama - well done to Ben Makhanya and crew on Sail Africa's Spirit of Anna Wardley.

Clocking up on 280 nautical miles sailed, Spirit of Anna Wardley has sailed the most direct route out of the five finishers, with Adios notching up 294 nautical miles and CFM sailing 298 nautical miles. Aweh racked up the most with 307 nautical miles under their belt.

Enjoy your breakfast on land guys.

Pic of Spirit of Anna Wardley snapped by Ron Pet at the start.

The next Durban boat is edging towards the finish.

Well done to Ben and team on Spirit of Anna Wardley... Just over 1NM left for the Sail Africa team, leading the L34s in.

They will be the fifth boat finishing behind Regardless, CFM, Aweh and Adios.

The race cut off is scheduled for 4pm today, but there are rumours that it might be extended.

Richard Crockett has penned a wrap up report, if you would like you can read it here:
https://sailing.co.za/2026-vasco-da-gama-race-from-an.../

Pic of Ben and team alongside Moon Dancer in the Ian Jones Memorial two weekends ago.

In years to come..... this finish will be spoken about...

The 55th Vasco da Gama Yacht Race was epic!

There are still 6 more yachts out there with the next, Aweh due to arrive shortly after midnight.

Spirit of Anna Wardley is 93NM - come on Ben! Big push towards the finish line. You can do it.