www.Sail-Search.com: Quick-sailing South Africa Inter20 team won the championship for the world's longest fresh water races, the 2008 Lake Malawi International Yachting Marathon championship in the South East African country, Malawi on Saturday July 12, 2008.

Skippered by Marc Hammick, the South African team dominated three of the five legs of the 450-km six-day competition which pooled 22 participants including from Botswana and the host country.

The champions received several material prizes, including free entry for next year's marathon and $500 cash prize from the organising committee of the 24-year-old race.

The race, which is held every July to take advantage of the south easterly winds locally called Mwera, proved to be tough this year as the wind was so weak leading to the postponement of the fourth leg after all boats were towed to the cut off point.

The South African won the opening leg from Nkopola Lodge to Cape Maclear in the Southern Region district of Mangochi, then Salima to Nkhotakota before wrapping up the show with the victory in the final leg from Likoma Island to Makuzi Beach in the northern region district of Nkhata Bay.

Malawi team of Matola Mwawa and Gilson Jahn clinched the second leg from Cape Maclear to Salima, the fourth leg from Nkhotakota to Dwangwa was forfeited due to weak Mwera winds while South African team of Charlotte Walford and Peter Killick were the best in the fifth leg from Dwangwa to Likoma.

Runner up was Malawi team of deposed holders Jenny and Duncan Macpherson followed by yet another home team of Gilson Jahn and Matola Mwawa. They received $300 and $200 respectively.

Organising committee member Stan Sokosa in his speech challenged Malawi government to ensure that all hitches surrounding the organisation of the world's longest fresh water race were rectified.

"The lake is not exploited to its maximum so let's work together and iron out all hurdles that have retarded the growth of the race," Sokosa said.

Taking his turn Malawi Deputy Tourism Minister Billy Kaunda challenged the organising committee to plan better for the competition which started in 1984 and is Malawi's major tourism promotional tool.

"It is evident that there were many challenges during this year's event. I would want to believe that with proper coordination, understanding and good will amongst various stakeholders.we can take this event to the higher level," Kaunda said.

Sponsors of the race were Medical Aid Society of Malawi, National Bank of Malawi, AC Opticals, Toyota Malawi, CFAO Malawi, Sunbird Hotels, Hunters and Caltex among others.

Source: Peter Kanjere in Blantyre.