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Testing 24 Hour Sailing Challenge

The Enterprise Dinghy CV6 lost its mast, a Gypsy Dinghy from Plumstead Scouts snapped their centreboard while other boats had to do running repairs to complete this year’s MAC 24 Hr Challenge held at Milnerton Aquatic Club on Saturday and Sunday, the 29/30 March 2025.

The 26th MAC 24 Hr Challenge started in perfect conditions with a light North Westerly wind. 25 teams entered their boats and the fleet got off to a flawless start. After the first completed lap Sonnet Dinghies were followed by Enterprise, Bosun, 420’s and the Sea Scout Groups 16 foot Saldanhas.

The Sailing Format is to enter a team of 10 – 12 sailors and sail a relay race swopping crew every two hours for 24 hours in an attempt to break the Guinness world record for furthest distance sailed in 24 hours.

This Challenge is held in SA and the UK, where they recently completed their 53rd Event at West Lancashire Yacht Club in Southport. In 2022 a South African GP14 – the Red Baron – set a new world record sailing 226 kms.

Afternoon sailing continued in a steady 10 knot NW Wind and the sailors were hoping to finish with these lovely conditions. The wind started dropping in the evening and light weather helming was called for. At 3am on Sunday morning a light SE Wind started building and by the 12 Noon finish it had built into a strong 25 knot breeze.

From 7am on Sunday morning all the boats were flying around the course with the Saldanha Dinghies pushing up big bow waves.

A 12 Hr Challenge was incorporated into this year’s Event and 5 teams entered, including a Windsurfer and Illusion single handed micro keel boat. The 12 Hr Fleet sailed until 7pm on Saturday and restarted at 7am on Sunday morning.

12 Hr Results:

  1. MAC Relay Team on a Windsurfer
  2. Team Kia Paarl in the Illusion
  3. Team CV6 on Enterprise Dinghy

24 Hr Results:

  1. Plumstead Sea Scouts – Sea Queen – Saldanha
  2. Zeekoevlei Sailing Club – Sonnet
  3. MAC – Team Naleidi Reloaded – Sonnet
  4. UCT Yacht Club – Sonnet
  5. Sea King – Saldanha
  6. Team Defence Sailing – Bosun Dingy

For a full list of results and photos please visit the MAC 24 Hr Challenge Facebook Page.

MAC 24 Hour Sailing Challenge. Photo: Angela Caroline Gray
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