Susan Steyn emerged as the overall winner of the 2026 NSA Laser Nationals after a weekend of competitive sailing at the Walvis Bay Yacht Club on 22 and 23 August.

The championship brought together sailors competing in the Laser Standard, Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 classes, with the senior fleet also joined by two Laser Picos sailed by junior competitors.

Saturday provided challenging but favourable sailing conditions, with sufficient wind allowing the race committee to complete four races. Sailors were required to adapt their tactics and strategies as different courses were used for each race.

The competition at the front of the fleet was particularly close, with Steyn and Slava Verkhusha each winning two races. Steyn claimed victories in Races 1 and 4, while Verkhusha won Races 2 and 3. Both sailors finished on four nett points, but Steyn secured the championship victory. Verkhusha finished second, while Anna Verchusa took third place.

Sunday presented a completely different challenge, with virtually no wind making further racing impossible. The four races completed on Saturday were sufficient for the results to constitute the 2026 Nationals.

The event also provided an opportunity for Namibia’s younger sailors to compete alongside the senior fleet. Katelyn Buekes and Jean Meyer won the Laser Pico category, while Emily Sparg and Cindy Sparg also took part in the junior competition.

The Namibia Sailing Association thanked the Walvis Bay Yacht Club, race officials, volunteers and everyone involved in staging the championship. Special appreciation was also extended to Catamaran Charters, the sponsor of the 2026 Laser Nationals, for supporting the event and contributing to the development of competitive sailing in Namibia.

The successful championship highlighted the growing enthusiasm for sailing in Namibia and provided both experienced and young sailors with valuable competitive experience on the water.

By Rudi Bowe