University Sport South African Sailing Regatta

Minenhle Ngcobo and Lindokuhle Nsibande on the final day of the University Sport South African Sailing Regatta hosted by Wits University at the Vaal Dam © Piet Ribane / USSA Media

The hard-working team representing Durban University of Technology stepped on to the podium for the first time at the University Sport South African Sailing Regatta hosted by Wits University at the Vaal Dam.

The annual sailing event welcomed eight Varsity teams from around South Africa. Teams comprising of a maximum of six sailors challenged each other to five days of fun-filled competitive team racing, all racing in the one design class of the TSL 14 that accommodates only two sailors.

DUT's team led by Minenhle Ngcobo have been honing their skills at various training camps in the build up to the event. Ngcobo and crew have also been charging in the Twilight Series where they compete in the L26 Class and are currently lying fourth overall in a tightly contested large fleet.

Starting off in fine form, the Durbanites caused an upset in race one with a sumptuous victory over University of Cape Town. Captain Ngcobo stated, 'The weather conditions at first took some getting used to, if you are not used to light winds, it was quite a challenge and a mind shift for us.'

The team made up of skipper, Minenhle Ngcobo with back up helm Mthobisi Ndovela and crew members Sbonga Sibiya; Asiphe Ntozakhe; Lindokuhle Nsibande and Dale Shandu.

Enthusing, he continued, 'We spent many hours training with our coach, Gregg Dobson, for this event but one of the things that I noticed, we need to prepare ourselves more for the light weather. This gives us a nice challenge to go back home and work towards.'

Surprising the more recognised sailing teams, DUT went into day four as the underdogs, facing University of Pretoria (TUKS) A in the third and fourth playoff. In a best of three races, DUT won the opening race and TUKS levelling in the second. In the must win final round robin race, DUT took the honours as well as winning their first podium position at the event.

'The last race went down to the wire and certainly will be going down in the memory books where we will cherish the memories. The conditions were favourable for us with heavy winds, and it was quite an adventurous race. We took all the lessons we have accumulated along the way and put them into practice, which much to our delight - paid off!'

A chuffed coach for the DUT team, Gregg Dobson beamed, 'Firstly congrats to the DUT. I am very proud of their achievement. They acquitted themselves so well both on and off the water

They achieved the success against a strong field of generational sailors earning their competitor's respect. Thanks to DUT and SA Sailing for facilitating access to a sport with a traditionally high barrier to entry. With continued support and commitment to training they can expect to match and succeed this performance.'

The DUT sailors will be taking a well deserved festive break before hitting the water back home to complete the 2025/2026 Summer Sailing Season with the ultimate in taking on the top L26 sailors in the MSC Week which is celebrating its 50th year.

Overall Results:

1 Stellenbosch University
2 University of Cape Town
3 Durban University of Technology
4 University of Pretoria