
By Richard Crockett
I normally share historical news here, but today I am bucking the system and sharing a moment in history that happened over the weekend.
Andrew (Andy) Tarboton has just won the Musto Skiff World Championships in Sydney – making him one of just a handful of South African dinghy world champions.
Since moving to the UK from South Africa some years ago he chose the Musto Skiff as his preferred dinghy, and has competed in many world championships since. In recent years he has been pushing hard for the top spot, often being a podium finisher, but never on the top step of the podium – until now. He has never wavered in his desire to win this title, and has shown typical South African “vasbyt” in achieving it.
What I do admire about him is that he has never forgotten his South African roots, and has always sailed under the RSA flag, including in this championship.
The penultimate day of the regatta was a toughie as the fleet was presented with an unseasonably low-pressure system bringing with it rain and a strong southerly. There were 4 races planned for the day to make up for no racing on Day 3.
Race 6 started in 20 knots with even bigger gusts. The big boys relished in the strong breezes and challenging conditions. Jon Newman and Andy Tarboton fought it out for the whole race, but it was Tarboton who prevailed to take the win with Newman not far behind.

pic by Down Under Sail
Race 7 was much the same, but the gusts were getting stronger, causing plenty of spectacular spills and many boats hitting ludicrous speed with the kites up. Rob Richardson threw his hat back into the ring and fought it out with Tarboton. Close behind them were Danny Boatman and Jono Shelley, who were also having a go and mixing it up. However, it was Richardson who took the win, with Tarboton second.
By Race 8 the weather was showing little improvement. A carbon copy of the previous race, the fleet set off the start line in heavy rain showers, with strong gusts continuing to keep it interesting and challenge the sailors as they tried to keep their boats upright. Rob Richardson and Danny Boatman continued their good form to claim first and second place, with Jon Newman in third and Tarboton being pushed back into fourth.
Race 9 started as a rain squall pushed through, swinging the breeze 60 degrees just before the fleet started. The top group raced to the pin end before tacking as the gun went off and took off upwind. Tarboton was again fourth.
After 9 races Tarboton was on the top step of the podium – with just a day of racing left. The final day concluded with two races.
Race 10 started with a small delay to allow a rain front to push through. The fleet sailed out to the start line in a light and shifty easterly, which threatened to shake up the places at the top.
Jon Newman and Andy Tarboton kept in very close contact with each other throughout the start sequence. Tarboton came out on top, but Richardson managed to slip through and take the win, with Tarboton ending up in second and Newman fourth.
Race 11, the final race of the 2025 regatta, saw Richardson get a bad start and then take a swim on a tack on the first beat, pushing him back down the fleet. Tarboton continued his consistent day of fierce and focussed racing, rounding in the top couple with his closest overall rivals a little way back. Ultimately Tarboton finished the final race third, just enough for him to secure the World Championship title.
In the 11 races sailed, Tarboton had two firsts with a fifth being his discard.
Of interest is that former South African, Bruce Keen, has won this title three times sailing under the British flag.