Sailing Magazine
by Luke Scott
Excitement is mounting for the start of Cape Town Race Week today despite the tune-up race being cancelled last evening.
This is the second of four premier regional inshore regattas on the South African Sailing Western Cape Keelboat Circuit 2018/9. The regatta is scored exclusively on the ORC rating platform.
With an entry of 28 boats across three racing classes, and a small coastal cruising class, the most competitive fleet will undoubtedly be the 9 boat Cape 31 fleet, with these colourful one design pocket rockets sailing on their own windward leeward short course format. A number of top sailors are assembled for this battle.
The rest of the fleet, ranging from a brace of RCYC Academy L26s to Lord Irvine Laidlaw’s impressive midnight blue RP52, will sail a combination of short course windward leeward and longer circular random bay races. The regatta has some of the sexiest trophies in the Royal Cape trophy cabinet!
Off the water, the Royal Cape Yacht Club will host the sailors with parties and daily fun prizegivings.
The regatta has a proud and long history, and there will be a lot of catching up to do this year, after last year’s event was completely blown out! The weather outlook for the weekend looks breezy, but definitely manageable! A number of boats were out practising in the evenings this week in preparation.
Table Bay, sailing is served!
