Sailing Magazine
pic by Trevor Wilkins
Trevor Wilkins has sent this info,
The “Tracker” indicated Iskareen about 17 Nm off the finish line……..
The sea was flat calm – not a whisper of wind……..the sun was sinking behind the Iconic mountains of Rio – no sign of Iskareen…..the chase boat went out and ultimately saw a tiny mast head light in the distant. It was Iskareen, the entry from Germany, Skippered by Christiane Diettmers, the only other lady on board is the extremely experienced Phillipa Hutton Squire from Cape Town – The first South African woman to skipper a racing yacht around the Cape Horn. They were becalmed – drifting in front of the Sugar loaf about 4 miles from the finish. The tide was about to change and they were concerned as to their safety – from a raging storm of Cape Town to this in Rio! Ultimately the wind did consider their frustration and a gentle breeze took them to their finish around midnight! The crew went into full on racing mode – balancing their yacht – together with their mascot “Pippa Potamus” A Cuddly hippo that has been with Pippa on her Global around the world race. Down to a few litres of water and some de-hydrated foods they – devoured the Bubbly and cold beers which were handed to them after they crossed the line at around midnight.
