Sailing Magazine
by Richard Crockett
In the last hour a keen tussle between ‘Regardless’ and ‘CFM’ has been playing out as the two boats close the 55th Vasco da Gama Race finish line – a coastal ocean race from Durban to East London – a distance of 260 nautical miles.
It’s been billed as the “closest finish ever” – but is it?
Way back in 1985 Brian Tocknell’s ‘Shaya Moya’ – a 40-footer designed by Miller & Whitworth and Chris Bonnet’s ‘Spirit of Appletiser’ – a Petersen 33, converged on the finish line almost neck-and-neck. Just 13 seconds separated them – with line honours going to ‘Shaya Moya’ and the overall handicap honours to ‘Spirit of Appletiser’.
There was no tracking back in those days – 41 years ago now – a one simply had to wait at East London Yacht Club to see the boats appear in the distance over the horizon.
Great days they were too!
So who took the honours tonight?
That victory – and the glory went to – Regardless just one or two seconds ahead of CFM – making this the closest finish ever.
Well done to boat boats for providing tonight’s blockbuster.
