In 2024, Dave Elcock reconnected with long-time friend and fellow sailor, Michelle Grundy, whom he had first met 30 years prior during the 1996 Cape to Rio race, in which he was the skipper of the largest South African yacht and she was the skipper of the smallest yacht in the fleet.
The crew of the sailboat ZaRa will be made up of friends with a lot of experience in sailing, they all have an ocean boat in Brazil or the Caribbean. We are very excited to participate in this great event that will be memorable for our lives in ocean sailing.
Gustavo Lis is an experienced sailor with over 30 years of sailing expertise. Having participated in the Cape2Rio 2023, he has also secured several national titles throughout his career. Gustavo sails aboard the Tobago Cays, a well-equipped Delta 41, which will once again compete in the upcoming Cape2Rio 2025.
The decision to take part in this race stems from Gustavo’s passion for challenges, adventure, and the prestige of competing in one of the most iconic regattas of the Atlantic.
The crew of Tobago Cays consists of a seasoned and talented group of sailors:
Eduardo Ribas, an experienced sailor and former Commodore of Veleiros do Sul;
Luiza Horta, a skilled sailor and champion of multiple regattas, who is also a doctor;
Guilherme Borges, an avid Hobie Cat and monohull sailor;
Claudio Mika, a Brazilian champion and father of a world champion in Laser class.
Together, they aim to conquer the challenges of the Cape2Rio 2025 with expertise, determination, and a love for the sea.
One of two Lavranos designed offshore racer/cruiser yachts. The original concept was to create a boat specifically for the two handed Southstar Race in 1990 (CT – St Helena & back). She was built in 1989 as a 35ft yacht, with a very wide beam, but was extended to 41ft in 2004, giving her more balanced proportions and all-round capability. She has already successfully competed in two Rio races. The first one in 2006, where she did very well sailing double handed with JJ Provoyeur (her previous owner), and in 2011 when she won the overall race on handicap, skippered by Gerry Heggie.
I first did the Rio Race, just before my final year at university in 2011, onboard Prodigy, where we won line honours and was then able to spend two weeks enjoying Rio. The mix of sailing competitively on a downwind course for most of the 3000 NM, Caipirinhas on arrival, and great vibes in Rio made me want to come back. This is one of the best offshore races in the world, with perfect downwind/surfing conditions linking two iconic cities. I remember the great hospitality of the Rio Yacht club, the super facilities they had, and a very well organized event by the RCYC race committee who pulled it all off. However, the most memorable experience was the people and friendships made during the event. I remember most of us wearing ‘slops’ and sleeveless vests for two weeks straight, and one time we jumped on a local bus, it was full, as people were commuting back from work, there were at least 15 of us all standing in the aisle, when we thought it was a good idea to start singing “Shosholoza” at the top of our voices. We received mix reactions to say the least. Then as if to return the favour, a few days later while at the yacht club, we were serenaded by two speedo wearing gentlemen singing one of their favourite “Roberto Carlos” hits. At the end of it we were a tight knit community with nicknames to match. This race will be a success to me if all those characters are able to make it again.
Esperança is based at the Jangadeiros Club in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The crew will be composed of sailors from the club, a team with extensive experience in regattas. Captain Márcio Lima, 61 years old, has participated in several regattas such as Santos to Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro, Recife to Fernando de Noronha, and the 500 Years of Brazil Regatta Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro. Additionally, his resume includes crossings from Europe to Brazil and the United States.
We are excited to arrive in Cape Town and celebrate with fellow sailors from South Africa and other countries.
Esperança is a Delta 465 manufactured in Brazil by Delta Yachts. It was launched in the water in December 2022.
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Born in 1966 and raised in my father’s shipyard I was sailing before I was able to walk. My first boat was obviously an Optimist, followed by many others and tons of races on the lakes. Offshore sailing became an obsession from around 2005 onwards. After sailing around Africa counter clockwise and single-handed, the idea of doing some races was growing in my mind. In 2022 Lifgun and myself won the OSTAR transatlantic race from Plymouth to Newport in the singlehanded division, followed by a second place in the Caribbean 600 in the double handed division.
The Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC) and Iate Club do Rio De Janeiro are thrilled to announce the participation of the Alexforbes Angel Wings, crewed entirely by students from the RCYC Sailing Academy.
Alexforbes Angel Wings Read More »
