ILCA KZN Regional Championship 2026 at Point Yacht Club - Preview

Daniela Cantarelli with coach Rudy McNeill © Val Adamson

A handsome fleet of ILCAs will be heading offshore of Durban, South Africa, over the National Women's Day long weekend for their KZN (KwaZulu-Natal province) 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. 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! The Grand Slam was the first regatta I've won against my whole class, male and female. The 9 Hour is a race I always look forward to; I was lucky enough to be lent a Weta which I raced single handed on the senior course and won line honours."

Most weekends, Cantarelli has been trekking down to Durban for training, "I was sailing offshore in Durban this last Sunday actually, I got some good training in with my coach Rudy McNeill. I have a few upcoming regattas - the KZN Regionals and the Midmar Cup - but I'm most excited to be attending Youth Worlds in Portugal this December."

Renowned Durban ILCA sailor, McNeill turns his attention to his preferred class, with six national titles under his belt, and double that in regional titles, he is on the hunt for victory ahead of the Nationals being hosted in KZN next year. "It has been an honour coaching Dani; I am trying to impart on as much knowledge as possible before her worlds. It's been fun and she is getting faster after each session!"

McNeill has some stiff competition in the men's class; returning from a successful campaign at the 505 World Championships in Hayling Island, Thomas Funke will be pushing McNeill around the racetrack. Another name to watch out for is Luke Wagner who joined forces with McNeill in the recent 505 KZN Regionals where they finished third overall and helmed his yacht, Bellissima to a third in the ORC Nationals held over the MSC Week.

Leading the charge for the out-of-towners, another well-known ILCA name, Alistair Keytel will be heading up to warmer waters from the Cape to compete alongside his son Josh (15) who is the current IODA Optimist Africans Champion with a string of growing ILCA titles in the year since he 'upgraded' to the faster boat.

Finishing off the winter season, the dinghy racers have a flurry of events, including the annual highlight pursuit race, the Jonsson Cup being held on Saturday 15 August followed by the Mirror KZN Regionals on 17 - 18 October. Point Yacht Club is gearing up for a momentous summer season as they prepare to celebrate their 135th birthday, hosting the 56th Vasco da Gama Ocean Race followed by the 50th MSC Week.

For more info follow the club's social media or visit www.pyc.co.za