Tarboton proud 'about being South African' after winning Musto World Championships

JOHANNESBURG - Andy Tarboton grew up in a sailing family - both his parents were good sailors, and they introduced him to the sport.

With the ocean in his veins and guidance from the Henley Midmar Yacht Club at the age of 7, he started sailing.

And now he’s the 2025 ACO Musto Skiff World Champion.

Tarboton claimed his first and South Africa's first Musto Skiff world title.

"I feel such pride about being South African and winning the Musto World Championships. Although Bruce Keen is the first South African-born sailor to win the world championships, I am the first to do it under the South African flag. It is an honour for me to have achieved this success in representing our beautiful country and people," said Tarboton.

READ: SA sailor Andy Tarboton wins 2025 ACO Musto Skiff World Championship

The KwaZulu-Natal sailor, who is currently based in the United Kingdom, told EWN that he counts himself lucky to have been brought up within the sailing community in South Africa.

"Having made some great friends along the way and learning a lot about myself as a person but it has taken the whole family to get to this point – my family have been so supportive of my training commitments and there is no way I would be here without their support. On top of that, Henley Midmar Yacht Club has always been a large part of our family life and I am immensely proud to represent the club at every regatta I sail in."

The ACO 14th Musto Skiff World Championship in Sydney saw around 40 Musto Skiff sailors representing six nations, including some of the top sailors in the class, travel to Sydney to compete.

"Sydney was a special place to have the event. The harbour provides spectacular backdrops of the iconic bridge and opera house and sailing in front of the bridge on the final day was special."

Tarboton was level on points with Australian Jon Newman heading into the final day of racing in Sydney, with the South African securing second place in the penultimate race while Newman finished fourth. A third place for Tarboton in the 11th and final race of the championships was then enough to secure the overall title after also claiming two wins and three second places over the four days of racing.

"The first race I won was very special to me as it was the start of the belief that the event was coming together – the field of competitors were very strong for this event, including multiple past world champions and Olympic athletes, so each race was hard fought, but my favourite moments mentioned above have to be the first race win and the final day of sailing," said the sailor.

Tarboton told EWN that he was blown away by the support he received from so many people.

"Thank you, I’m humbled to feel the warmth from each person who took the time to message me. Although I don’t have any direct sponsors in my sailing currently, I have been fortunate enough to get support in many areas such as sail repairs, training partners and assistance with the logistical challenges of getting around on the circuit to various events."

Tarboton shared that one of his career highlights includes sailing a world championships in the 29er class with his father in San Francisco, sailing a 49er World Championships with Graeme Willcox in Santander and being on the podium in three different Musto Skiff World Championships.

"I have sailed in some fantastic venues around the world and almost always find a close connection with someone from the South African sailing community in almost every venue I visit."