Junior national sailing champions crowned

Sailing
The Namibia Sailing Association hosted the Junior National Sailing Championships in Walvis Bay
Leandrea Mouers
  • 3 Days Ago 09 April 2026

The Junior Nationals sailing competition saw impressive performances across all classes, with young sailors navigating challenging conditions and demonstrating remarkable skills over the Easter weekend in Walvis Bay.


The competition began under testing conditions. On day one, sailors faced a long wait for the wind to pick up, with racing only starting at 13:15. After a few intense laps, the races were called off at 14:45 as wind speeds topped 20 knots. Day two offered ideal sailing conditions, with a steady 10.5-knot wind. After completing four laps, sailors returned to shore at 11:45 as the wind began to strengthen again.


The Namibia Sailing Association (NSA) commended the young participants for their determination, their families for their unwavering support, and the safety volunteers for their dedication. The NSA also expressed gratitude to Catamaran Charters for their ongoing sponsorship, highlighting the vital role the company plays in nurturing sailing talent in Namibia.


The results for the day were as follows: in the Laser class, Emily Zander claimed first place, followed by Mariel Thompson in second and Tangeni Schultz in third. The Optimist class podium featured Robert Zander taking the top spot, Alten Meyer in second, and Oliver Menges in third. In the PICO class, the team of Katie Beukes (helm) and Richard Borowski secured first place.


Special recognition went to Oliver Menges, named the Most Improved Sailor. Despite only having sailed for less than two months, Menges bounced back after a challenging start on day one to excel in day two’s conditions.



The overall Junior Nationals champions were: Emily Zander in first place, followed by Mariel Thompson in second and Robert Zander in third.