Now in its 24th year, the regatta is growing in size and prominence, becoming a key event in the Cape summer sporting calendar. The event is organised by the Royal Cape Yacht Club in conjunction with Club Mykonos.
The yachts will leave the RCYC on the morning of Friday, 28 February 2014, with the winners crossing the finishing line at Club Mykonos in Langebaan that afternoon. The first three yachts over the line will be awarded at the prize giving event.
The 65 Nautical Miles race from the V&A Waterfront to Club Mykonos has professional and non-professional sailors taking part, attracting a large crowd to be part of the prestigious event. The send off will be a grand affair that will bid farewell to the yachts from Table Bay, taking them around the coast to Langebaan Lagoon.
The second race taking place on Saturday, 1 March is a pursuit race where the slowest yachts on handicap start first and are chased down by the faster yachts who start later according to their handicap rating. This makes for a very exciting event with lots of overtaking yachts; the idea is for the handicapper to have all yachts finishing approximately at the same time.
The prize giving, dinner and party will be hosted on the Saturday evening at the Bouzouki Restaurant at the Club Mykonos resort, where all the winners of both races will be awarded, with a big celebration afterwards.
Commenting on the event, Club Mykonos' marketing manager, Michelle Goldschmidt explained: "The Mykonos Offshore has grown in stature over the past few years, and is now one of the biggest events on our calendar. Partnering with the RCYC, we are planning to continue to grow its presence and stature, and we are aiming to secure its place as one of the preeminent sailing events in the Cape summer sporting calendar."
"There are many opportunities for sailing enthusiasts and people looking for a day out to get involved, even if they are not participating. The send-off from the V&A Waterfront will be an exciting event, as will be the reception at Club Mykonos on Friday. The celebrations will continue on through Saturday, culminating in a prize giving, dinner and party. We still have some bookings for accommodation, and guests can also visit for the day to enjoy the event and be part of the festivities," she finished.
Along with the regular RCYC members and professional sailors, the RCYC Development Sailing Team, a group of adolescent boys from disadvantaged backgrounds in Cape Town, will also be participating in the regatta.
"Our Development Sailing programme was established to support and up skill young candidates in all aspects of sailing in ocean going vessels," explained Derek Shuttleworth from RCYC.
"They are taught navigation skills, boat handling skills, first aid and interpersonal skills, all with the aim of giving them the opportunity to further their careers within the marine industry and progress with the sport of sailing."
For more, go to www.clubmykonos.co.za or www.rcyc.co.za
