Sailing Magazine
The Royal Cape Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Iate Club Rio de Janeiro, have announced another edition of this iconic ocean racing classic. The start date is Sunday 2 January 2023.
The first Cape to Rio Race was in 1971. Besides piquing the interest of local yachtsmen it also attracted a good fleet of international entries too. Line honours was won by Ocean Spirit, co-skippered by Sir Robin Knox-Johnson and Leslie Williams, while the handicap honours went to Albatross II which was skippered by John Goodwin.
With the 50th anniversary of that first race due on 16 January next year (2021), RCYC Commodore Neil Gregory has taken the bold step of beginning preparations for this race early as he wants to generate a fleet that mirrors the heyday of this ocean racing classic. The race is a bluewater dash across the South Atlantic Ocean between the tourist capitals of South Africa and Brazil, skirting north of the notorious South Atlantic High Pressure System in glorious sunshine. It’s champagne sailing at its best.
South Atlantic races have always attracted great sailing teams and famous yachts, and in 2023 that should continue.
It is the intention of the organisers to position and promote the C2R2023 as a “bucket list” ocean race to attract top-level owners and crews, as well as sailors from across the spectrum of our sport, all wanting to undertake an ocean passage and enjoy the cut and thrust of competitive sailing. Race preparation, navigation, risk assessment, strategy and sheer determination are integral to winning an ocean race.
Referring to the timing of the race, Commodore Gregory noted that December 2022 was going to be a busy time for sailing – both racing and cruising. “The City of Cape Town will be hosting The Ocean Race fleet at that time, the Oyster World Rally and ARC World Rally will also be visiting our shores. We will be looking to market the Cape2Rio Race to these visitors as an opportunity to use our event as a feeder into the busy Caribbean season which provides fantastic events for all classes of boats to enjoy our sport and its camaraderie, Antigua Race Week being a highlight for many sailors globally” he said.
The Notice of Race is scheduled to be published by end October 2020 and will look to be as inclusive as possible to ensure that a full range of ocean racing teams and boats are catered for.
For enquiries and to register intentions to compete, mail HERE
