The Cape To Rio lies at the heart of yachting in South Africa
The Cape To Rio lies at the heart of yachting in South Africa
Perhaps the most famous event associated with sailing in South Africa is the Cape to Rio yacht race, now known as the South Atlantic yacht race as different finishing destinations have been used over the last few years including Salvador in Brazil and Punta del Este in Uruguay. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil however is still the predominant finish line.
January 2011 saw the start of the 13thSouth Atlantic yacht race although if you ask any Cape Town resident with sea water in their veins they will tell you that it was the start of the 13th "Cape to Rio." The first race was inspired by South African Bruce Dailing's victory in 1968 of the single handed trans- Atlantic race. This proved a huge boost for sailing in South Africa and the Springbok Racing Ocean Trust in conjunction with Clube Rio de Janeiro organised the first South Atlantic race. In 1971 59 yachts gathered up on the start line for the first race to Rio.
The race took place every three years after that until 1985 international pressure and economic sanctions pushed South Africa completely off the world sporting map. The next race then took place 8 years later in 1993. The number of entrants reached 90 with 13 international teams travelling to South Africa to take part, on the eve of the country's first democratic elections. The event understandably was celebrated nationally and was followed with great enthusiasm by everyone. The success of the South African teams helped fuel a national pride that had been sorely lacking for the last few decades. Broomstick, the South African Navy's entrance put on an astounding performance and at one point had opened up a 200 mile lead. They crossed the line first breaking the previous record by nearly two days. However due the handicap system it could not retain its lead after Namsea Challenger crossed the line, the win was however eventually claimed by Morning Glory two days later when they crossed the finish line.
This year saw another South African team making a splash in a boat aptly named "The City of Cape Town." While not taking line honours-the first team across the line- they won the race on handicap. Line honours went to the team in the boat named "Prodigy" who set a new record for the fastest crossing, despite the fact that it took them nearly 7 hours to complete the last 500 meters due to a sudden drop in the wind. In fact the conditions were so heavily against them that at one stage they had to anchor to prevent themselves going backwards.
Cape Town's two large bays, Table bay and False Bay, as well the world class mooring facilities combined with an almost perpetual wind make it a premier destination for any sailing enthusiast. The yachting culture was, for a long time, associated with elitist whites due to the often prohibitive cost of the sport. Efforts by the government and by corporate sponsors to bring yachting within reach of the previously disadvantaged have created a groundswell of support for South African teams competing overseas. Dubai in the Spotlight: Jumeirah Beach Discover The Quiet Splendour Of Holidays In Playa Blanca Basic American Football Positions Sightseeing in Petra Mauritius, Your Holiday Destination Is the Nesco American Harvest Dehydrator worth it? Get Some eBook Reader Comparison Now Comparison of Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DSi XL, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DS Lite, and Nintendo DS Psychology and the Celebrity How To Become An Expert On The Moche Culture For Your Travel To Peru The Fun of Traveling and Shopping in Florida French For Travel London five star Hotel - Coursing through River Thames and Others Ways of Getting Around