ILCA KZN regionals to take place in Durban

A handsome fleet of ILCAs will be heading offshore of Durban over the National Women’s Day long weekend for their KZN Regionals hosted by Point Yacht Club. It has been a bustling winter sailing season with the 505 KZN Regionals, the tremendously successful MSC Week, and now two dozen smaller Olympic class dinghies will be charging offshore for three days of spectacular, competitive yachting. Celebrating women on the water, a third of the fleet is young, up-and-coming ladies who are carving their way in this male dominated sport.

An exciting youngster to watch out for is Daniela Cantarelli, from the Karkloof, who has been sailing for almost a decade. Cantarelli crossed the line as the first youth lady in the ILCA Nationals held down in Langebaan over the May Day weekend. “ILCAs have been my focus this year, they have always been my favourite boat,” she said.

“I was so proud of myself at nationals, I really pushed myself to stay out in some rougher weather and felt so grateful for the opportunity and support that got me through it!” Juggling a variety of school commitments, the matric student at St John’s D.S.G. has also found time to follow her passion. “Apart from the nationals, this year I have competed in the Richards Bay Grand Slam and the 9 Hour endurance race at HMYC; which were all so much fun!,” she said. “The Grand Slam was the first regatta I’ve won against my whole class, male and female.