Over six days in April 2025, 33 teams from South Africa, the UK, and Australia gathered at Durban’s Point Yacht Club for the Marriott Mirror World Championships. Among the standout performers were South African father-daughter duo Paul and Polly Changuion, who finished an impressive fourth overall, racing with sails from UK Sailmakers South Africa.
The Mirror class is known for its lively one-design competition, and this year’s Worlds were no exception. Held on the Indian Ocean just offshore from Durban, conditions ranged from dead calm to powerful swell and breeze—culminating in 5-meter waves on the final day. The event followed the South African Mirror Nationals, and together the two regattas drew over 400 competitors and supporters to the region.
Paul and Polly were among several teams in the fleet sailing with new UK Sailmakers sails built at the Durban loft. They kicked off the regatta with a dramatic win in race one. It was the beginning of a string of strong finishes that kept them in podium contention throughout the week.
“I started sailing the Mirror class at the age of 17…and now, at 53, the Mirror dinghy remains a massive part of my sailing journey. The Mirror is a sensitive and rewarding boat, offering the full complexity of three-sail dinghy racing, great regatta camaraderie, and all the wonderful experiences that make our sport so special,” said Paul Changuion.
“Having sailed with and against Craig Millar and Luke Wagner over the years, I knew they’d deliver the best possible cut for our boat. The sails were fast and easy to trim—many thanks to UK Sailmakers South Africa for supporting a class that has provided so many special memories for all who race and sail her.” – Paul Changuion
The Changuions have a long history in the class. Paul has competed in five national championships and two world championships. His eldest daughter, Amelia, raced in a nationals in the Cape. In 2017, he sailed his first Mirror Worlds with his younger daughter, Polly—then just 10 years old—at the event in Cornwall.
Paul said, “We camped on farmland and had a huge amount of fun,” recalled Paul. “We couldn’t resist taking on the challenge again—this time in our own backyard. We went back to the garage, sanding and prepping our little wooden boat. We won the 2017 nationals as a warm-up and went on to enjoy a great World Championship in England.”
The international fleet in Durban was tightly packed, with youth, family, and mixed-generation teams all competing fiercely. Local knowledge gave South African sailors a slight edge, but the level of talent across the fleet was high. With just a few points separating the top teams going into the final day, every race counted.
“This is a class that brings people into sailing and keeps them there for a lifetime,” said Craig Millar. “We were thrilled to help, not only by building fast sails, but also by sponsoring race flags for the committee boat, prizes, and goodie bags.”
As Craig and the Changuions would tell you, being part of the Mirror Worlds wasn’t just about competition—it was about the community built around this unique one-design class. The Mirror has always been an important class in South Africa, offering sailors from all walks of life the opportunity to enjoy sailing competitively with an affordable campaign.
That community was on full display throughout the week. With dolphins playing near the boats, the striking Moses Mabhida Stadium in the background, and Durban Harbour bustling on the horizon, the venue offered a spectacular stage. On shore, sailors enjoyed braais, prize-givings, and the kind of event that defines the Mirror class.
As Polly Changuion once wrote after her first Mirror Worlds experience back in 2017, “I am very excited to be an international Mirror sailor…Mirror sailing is a great way to introduce children to the thrill of competition—it’s geared towards families.”
Congratulations again to Paul and Polly Changuion and to all the competitors who made the 2025 Mirror Worlds in Durban a success, on the water and beyond.
