Main - International Mirror Class Association of South Africa

Mirror sailors who make use of the Facebook social networking application are invited to join the group "South African Mirror Class".
This is a means of keeping in touch on a more regular basis with activities concerning the Mirror class in South Africa.

The Mirror Class has issued a tender for a builder to produce GRP Mirrors in South Africa.

This tender has been announced in the publication `Launch' of the Cape Town Boatbuliding & Technolgy Initiative. (attached)

It is the intention that locally produced boats will also find an export market.

The Mirror fleet mustered a total of 25 boats for the 2010 National Championships, with visitors from Natal (1), Northvaal and E. Cape.

Sailed over Easter at Theewaters, together with Fireballs and Stadt23's, only 6 races could be completed over 4 days. On Friday the wind was light- 2 windward / leeward races were completed (by those who could make the time limit). On Saturday morning, there was again no wind, but it filled in in the afternoon, becoming quite strong. 2 more races were completed (triangles this time!)

Two races were sailed on Sunday morning, also in a fresh SE. The dinghies went in for lunch, while the Stadts sailed 2 more races. The dinghies went out again after lunch, but were sent back to shore, as the wind was gusting over 30 knots.

An early start was scheduled for Monday, but the wind had blown all night and was still strong at the starting time.An hour later, racing was abandoned. As it often happens, the wind then eased. Some of the top Mirrors then went out to practice and to allow promotional photos to be taken.

The front end of the fleet was once again dominated by the Robinsons. They got most of the 1sts and 2nds, leaving scant pickings for the rest. There was a tie on points for 1st place, broken in favour of the new National Champions - Brennan & Michaela Robinson. Ryan & Ricky Robinson had to be satisfied with the silver medals. Third place went to the team of Fuad Jacobs and Tashreeq Abrahams.

Free State Yacht Club on Gariep Dam was the venue for the 2009 Mirror Class National Championships. This venue was chosen on the basis of being roughly equidistant for competitors from the Cape, KZN and Northvaal. There is a huge expanse of water and the friendly club members were able to provide a big cruising catamaran and keelboats for the course.

Twenty Mirrors entered the event. On the first day, a strong westerly wind picked up, peaking at gusts over 35 knots. It was deemed unsafe to attempt racing under those conditions.

The next day, a light easterly ( 5- 7 knots) blew most of the day. Four races were completed in the morning after an early start. After a late lunch, the fleet was called out for more racing, in the hopes that a stronger westerly would fill in. Unfortunately, the easterly hung in and one more light wind race was completed.

On the last day, the fleet had another early start (08:00) and a race was completed in another light easterly. This wind faded and the regatta was declared completed. The expected westerly only materialised at lunchtime, when all the boats had been loaded for the trip home.

After the first couple of races, veteran Mirror sailor Trevor Gibb established a lead. Then, consistent sailing by Cundell Statt (snr) put him in front. Towards the end of the regatta, however, it was apparent that Team Robinson had once again succeeded in taking control, as they have done in past Nationals. At the prizegiving, it was announced that the team of Cundell Statt (snr) and Cuan Clifford had finished in third place. Second place was taken by Brennan and Michaela Robinson. The Mirror National Champions became Ricky & Ryan Robinson.

The Mirror Class Association wishes to thank the Commodore and members of Free State Yacht Club for their hospitality in providing their venue for this regatta.

Results|| Photos

2009 Australian National Championships

This event was held at about the same time as the SA Mirror Nationals. It was held on Lake Cootharaba, Queensland. 32 boats sailed 10 races - most in wind 10 - 15 knots. It was won by Hobart teenagers Jessie Atherton and Katherine Maher.

What is remarkable about this event is that although there were imported Winder and locally made GRP hulls in the fleet, the top 2 positions were filled by wooden hulls.