Cape Town - The Royal Cape Yacht Club in Cape Town is a hive of activity as crews are busy with final preparations on the eve of the start of the Cape to Bahia yacht race.
A total of 31 yachts have entered this blue water classic, which starts in Cape Town on Wednesday, January 4 at 15:00 and will finish in Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia, in Brazil for the first time in the 31-year history of the race.
The current forecast for the start is a brisk southeasterly of approximately 22 knots gusting up to 27 knots, which should make for awesome action at the starting line just off the harbour breakwater. The fleet will then pass two compulsory marks off the Granger Bay and Mouille Point beach fronts before heading north past Robben Island.
The competing yachts span the spectrum of ocean-going vessels ranging from the miniature 6.5m mini-Transats to luxury catamarans and hi-speed racers. The mini-Transats will be sailed single-handedly and has been allowed in the race for the first time.
The Brazilian multi-hull Adrenalina Pura is expected to reach Salvador first and the 14m racing yacht HiFidelity is rated as the fastest mono-hull in the fleet.
Challenge for handicap honours
Some of South Africa's most renowned sailors will once again take to the water, including around-alone sailors John Martin with a crew of five on MTU Fascination of Power and JJ Provoyeur who will be sailing double-handed with Anthony Spillebeen on Devonvale Broadreach.
Trans-Atlantic veteran 80-year old Gawie Fagan and his crew of three will again take on the challenge for handicap honours on the 9m Royal Cape One Design, Suidoos 2.
The 3 380 nautical mile trans-Atlantic crossing will see participants hugging the South African coast before heading westerly to capitalise on the traditional trade winds. Once again, it is expected that the South Atlantic high pressure system will play a crucial role in the tactics of the top contenders.
Single handed sailor Piet Scheepers on board Promoto Impex expects to do the crossing in approximately 23 days as the current forecast is for relatively light winds en-route.
"I'm going to sail safely and relatively slowly for the first couple of days. This is a long distance race and you don't need to become over-ambitious too early in the race. There is still a long way to go and you need to conserve our energy sailing alone is very hard work."
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