News

With the front-runners now passing due south of St Helena Island in good breeze, it’s been a spectacular first half for these boats, who are now starting the slow turn down around the south Atlantic high and aiming at last for Rio.

by Dawn Jorgensen The Race Is On. With the First Start cruisers a week into the much revered Cape2Rio 2020 yacht race and by now …

One just has to stand back in awe at the sheer speed and distance covered by the two big dogs, ‘Maserati’ and ‘Love Water’ as they are stripping miles off the chart quicker than a marauding gamefish strips line off a reel!

Like greyhounds, the moment they were set free they were off at breakneck speeds for Rio, with the record books looking like they might well be re-written.

There’s been a huge move on the leader board as the fleet clock up their first 1000nm in the race and edge ever closer to the Meridian (0 degrees longitude) and the western hemisphere.

The Cape2Rio2020 Race intrigue continues, as the boats do their utmost to balance the options to make the most of the wind strength and direction.

Ocean racing is one of those difficult sports as one has to have a well planned strategy before the start

The classic Cape to Rio race strategy call – trading off extra distance against the risk of the South Atlantic high – is being played out in real time by two of the Start 1 fleet.

With the Start One fleet now fully conversant with the concept, day 3 held within it some reward for those that persevered with the north/coastal routing.

The Start One of the Cape2Rio Ocean Race fleet exited Table Bay safely and cleanly in champagne sailing conditions on Saturday afternoon.