ILCA KZN Regional Championship 2026 at Point Yacht Club, Durban

by Sophie Thompson 13 Aug 15:10 BST 8-10 August 2026

Posing with his trophy, winner of the ILCA 6s, Blake Madel is pictured with the Brenda Tarboton Memorial Trophy after his success in the PYT ILCA KZN Regionals hosted by Point Yacht Club offshore of Durban © Sophie Thompson

Rudy McNeill stands proudly behind his trophies after winning the PYT ILCA KZN Regionals. The trophy on the left is an 'artwork' created by ceramists, Andrew Walford and the old cup is a treasure discovered in a garage, last issued 20 years ago © Sophie Thompson

Local lad, Rudy McNeill gave a masterclass on how to win a regatta at the recent PYT ILCA KZN Regionals hosted offshore by Point Yacht Club over the Woman's Day long weekend.

The decorated sailor, Rudy McNeill took the honours in the main class - the ILCA 7s, leading the fleet across the line in every single race. Pushing him around the track was Cape sailor, Alistair Keytel, who last sailed in Durban a couple of years ago in the Nationals. Keytel notched up a second in all his races, relishing the warmer conditions.

A delighted McNeill shared, 'I am very happy with my regatta, I have been spending some time on the boat, getting the body use to the motions again and I could feel it paid off. Body is feeling good, could go out for a sail again today.'

McNeill stated, 'It was great to be offshore competing in one of the best venues in the world. The conditions were perfect for everyone overall - a bit of something for everyone. Race two on the second day certainly was a standout one for me, not too light nor too windy. I didn't have a great start and found myself in third or fourth off the line, so I had to work to get back in touching distance of Alistair. It was fun having to chase someone, I couldn't catch him on the first lap. We had a great battle on the second upwind where I was able to pass him.'

McNeill said, 'It's always great competing against the guys. It was fantastic to get 10 boats on the start for the full rigs, and we all had our moments.'

With six national titles under his belt, McNeil now swops out his beloved ILCA and heads to the J22 regatta in Cape Town for the Lipton Challenge Cup. 'Yeah, the next regatta is Lipton in less than two weeks. It should be good racing down there. I am however looking forward to ILCA Nationals next year in Durban. I'll be training as much as possible to give myself the best chance to retain my home water title!'

Keytel complimented, 'The regatta was awesome! The team here in Durban always put on an event worth travelling for, coupled with some awesome sailing conditions and competition. It was also great to introduce my son Josh to Durban offshore sailing and have a break from the cape winter.'

'The first day, we had a decent North Easter wind which meant some nice surfing conditions down the sharp swells, always is a lot of fun. I pretty much followed Rudy around the course in all the races bar one, the fifth race where I managed to lead for much of it before being overtaken, I'll have to come back and try again!' the visiting sailor said with a warm smile.

Competing for the first time offshore of Durban, young Joshua Keytel from Welgemoed in the Cape took the honours in the ILCA 4s, 'I've travelled twice before to Durban but never to actually sailed. I've always watched from shore. My dad and my sister used to just bring me along to watch them.'

Cresting a swell on Day one of the PYT ILCA KZN Regionals, Grand Master Campbell Alexander settles in to head up to the weather mark after just rounding the leeward buoy. Alexander finished 4th overall in the three day regatta hosted offshore by Point YC - photo © Sophie Thompson

'The conditions this weekend were tough, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. With the first day being medium to slightly stronger breeze and the second day being light to medium breeze it really meant that you have to be a good all-round sailor to win.' And win he did, he registered five first places claiming victory in the ILCA 4s.

Another first timer in Durban's warm waters was Blake Madel competing in the ILCA 6s. Madel is one of four sailors representing South Africa heading to the Youth Worlds in December. 'It will be my first Worlds, which I am really looking forward to. It was good to use this event to fine tune my training ahead of going to Portugal. In the build up to Worlds, I am heading to Valencia for a training camp for two weeks which will be a good experience.'

Life is all about balance. Joshua Keytel glides down the back of a swell as he heads down to the bottom mark during day one of the PYT ILCA KZN Regionals hosted offshore of Durban by Point Yacht Club - photo © Sophie Thompson

Madel cut the line first in three of his races, and also earned a second and third place finishing four points ahead of vastly experienced Paul Changuion. 'My event went really well. We had good wind and it was very enjoyable weather compared to the cold Cape Town weather.'

The youngest competitor, 13 year old Kai Law from Richards Bay raced in his first ever ILCA regatta, finished fifth overall behind four older boys travelling from the Cape and Gauteng. Notching up two fourth places, a fifth and two sixes, he can be very proud of his result. 'The conditions were quite extreme especially because of my weight, but I really did enjoy it.'

Asked what his standout moment was, he beamed, 'It would have to be the fourth race, the first on the second day. I got around the top mark leading the fleet, but my result was thrown out for me being too early on the line and false starting.'

Heading up, Luke Wagner who finished third overall in the ILCA 7s, is pictured heading inshore during day one of the PYT ILCA KZN Regionals hosted offshore by Point Yacht Club - photo © Sophie Thompson

The most experienced sailor on the water, ILCA obsessed Campbell Alexander finished a mere point behind third placed Wagner. The Kloof resident finished fourth overall and was the first Grand Master. 'It was a great regatta. 'I was very happy with the races where Luke, Ant, Barry and Shaun were behind me. But the third race on Saturday was best for me, with a start on pin going full blast at the gun, breeze up surfing huge fast-moving waves and having the right people following me. It was a blast!'

All smiles. Overall champion, Rudy McNeill is pictured heading down to the bottom mark on day one of the PYT ILCA KZN Regionals hosted by Point Yacht Club - photo © Sophie Thompson

Finishing off the winter season, the return of the little red sails, the Mirror KZN Regionals on 17 - 18 October to be held in the harbour. 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 and the ILCA Nationals.

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