Having started in 1971, the race will go into its 46th year in 2017. From the very beginning the Cape2Rio, the longest transatlantic ocean race at 3,500 nautical miles or 5,500km, has attracted interest from around the world and enticed some of the planet’s most celebrated sailors and yachts to its start line.
Tactical and testing, the race demands the finest seamanship of its participants. This latest edition is no different, with the best in show from 10 different countries ready to set sail from Cape Town.
2017 entrants include crews from South Africa, Angola, Australia, Argentina, USA, Germany, the United Kingdom and Brazil. The largest monohull entry is the 70ft Andrews 70 from San Diego, while the smallest is the 31ft Benetau from Cape Town. Race crews include veterans from America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, multiple national champions, Lipton Cup, Sydney Hobart, and the Caribbean 600.
In the 12-edition history of the race, the race for line honours, or first over the finish line, has fallen 10 times. “There remains much room to better this record and with the global proliferation in trimaran and multihull offshore racing machines, the record is definitely under threat,” says Simon Borchert, Cape2Rio event director.
Aiming for handicap honours will be the likes of Vulcan and the Black Pearl. Vulcan is a GP 42, and is skippered and owned by South African sailor Hylton Hale who has been preparing the boat meticulously for the race. Designed by fellow South African Shaun Carkeek, Vulcan has undergone an extensive refit in preparation for the offshore conditions and is a real contender for the overall winner’s trophy. Their battle with the Black Pearl, a German entrant, could shape up as the most potentially thrilling battle of the event.
Another entry to watch is Gryphon, a crew that celebrates the diversity and depth of sailing skill that Cape Town has to offer. Cape Town continues to produce some of the very best sailors and marine artisans in the world, and this team is a testament to that. A group of friends from communities on the Cape Flats, an area not usually associated with global yacht racing, have defied the odds and prepared a world class campaign. Reuniting in Cape Town from as far afield as Dubai, the team will compete in the 2017 edition of the race. Skilled, determined and professionally managed, Gryphon is certain to be the crowd favourite come the start on 1 January 2017.
After leaving Cape Town, participants head north-west towards the island of Ilha de Trinidad, and south-west from there towards South America. As they near the coast, skippers need to decide whether to take the longer route with stronger winds, or a more direct route with the chance of lighter winds.
Prizes will be awarded to the first competitor across the line, for new records beings set, as well as first three on handicap in all classes
The race can be watched live due to the live on-board satellite trackers. Xtra-Link will be providing the technology and links to the tracker can be found on cape2rio2017.com
