News

The NSRI has as usual done an incredibly good job in assisting the Rio race organisers and those in distress on the race. This band of volunteers is ALWAYS on standby to assist seafarers, so it’s worth going on to their website to read what they have been up to since the start of the race. http://www.nsri.org.za

8 January 2014 Maserati continues her gallop across the South Atlantic well out in front of the rest of the fleet in the Cape2Rio Yacht Race. Maserati is now 2,000 miles off Rio de Janeiro. She is also pulling even clearer of her two main rivals: the Australian 53′ Scarlet Runner is now lagging 300 miles behind the Italian boat in second place while the South African Open 60 Explora is 600 miles in her wake. “We are making 16 …

Dudley Dix has written a very interesting account about Black Cat and the trouble they encountered. It’s a ‘must read’ – so follow this link: http://dudleydix.blogspot.com/2014/01/our-cape-to-rio-race-wrap-up.html

Now that the ‘storm’ is over the fleet appears on the tracker to be settling down into serious “let’s get to Rio” mode. I like the look of some boats, and wonder what the ‘BH’ others are doing. But that’s yacht racing, navigation, tactics and weather routing – some get it right and others get it horribly wrong. Privateer, being sailed 2-up, is the northern-most boat in the fleet. Maserati still leads in Class 1 and is flying at just …

Trevor Wilkins, photographer extraordinaire, was on hand to capture the Safe return of the Yacht Isla after being towed back to Royal Cape Yacht Club in a Heavy South Easter by the NSRI. See the pic link at: https://plus.google.com/photos/117086593120942909819/albums/5966208740162510257

It’s the 4th full day of racing and I had a great chat on the sat phone with Peter this morning. One could immediately hear a lift in spirits with the sound of the crew laughing and chatting in the background. It was a good evening with music blaring out loud last night over the speakers to build the “gees”. After supper the crew not on duty slept like logs and apparently were difficult to wake for their watches! They …

The sailor killed two days ago has been named as António João Bartolomeu, a 47 year old sound technician on Angolan national radio with a passion for sailing in his blood. Bartolomeu was crewing aboard the Bavaria 54 Bille (one of two Angolan boats taking part for the first time) when he was thrown overboard off Cape Town on January 5th. The incident occurred during the ferocious storm that hit the fleet with 50 to 60 knot winds almost immediately after the …

Maserati continues to lead the fleet as she heads for Trade Winds Maserati has now left the storm in her wake and is still leading the fleet en-route to the Trade Winds in 15 to 16-knot winds. Lying in second position, 150 miles behind, is the South African Open 60 Explora with the Australian 52’ Scarlet Runner in third at 160 miles from the leader. “There’s still a long way to go to Rio de Janeiro – another 2,400 miles, in …

Provisional results and position reports for day 3. Scarlet Runner leads Class 1. Yolo Leads Class 2 Tulliana leads Class 3 10 boats have either returned or are returning to port. Day 3 Tuesday 060800GMT Daily Position Report PRINT_EMAIL

After a day of carnage and damaged yachts returning to port, this mornings tracking still shows Maserati, Scarlet Runner and DStv Explora out front with the rest of class 1, led by Iskareen, in hot pursuit. Privateer, who took a more northerly route is now closing on the fleet too. A quick look at this morning’s GRIB files shows that the front has dissipated and the fleet is now sailing in 17 to 25 knot winds, depending on where they …

North Sails, the industry leader in innovation, has created a sustainable alternative to elastic bands or wool ties used to pack downwind sails. North’s Blue Book service procedure has added STOP TABS sewn on top of existing luff tape, eliminating the need for packing materials that inevitably litter the water. North’s convenient fix allow sails to maintain their performance while complying with ISAFs environmentally friendly Rule 55. “ISAF has made a bold yet proper move by protecting the environment through …

  At 09h00 GMT, Soldini and Maserati continued to lead the fleet, 65 miles ahead of the South African Open 60 Explora in second, and 80 ahead of the third-placed Australian 52’ Scarlet Runner. Maserati is currently reaching in 30 knots of wind which should gradually abate as the day progresses. The Italian boat is making a very brisk speed of 20-24 knots with peaks of 27-28 knots.

10 Yachts Have Now Withdrawn RCYC General Manager, Marcus Reuter, boarded SAS Islandwana last night as they set sail to assist yacht BILLE. Communications with SAS ISLANDWANA have been constant and accurate and the reports from Marcus were “Islandwana crew have been so professional”. The majority of the fleet were still suffering rough sea conditions last night with poor visibility and a lot of rain this morning. The current situation on the following yachts: • BILLE. All crew of have …

Robert Gardner Meek 19.08.1951 – 01.01.2014 11h00 Thursday 9 January St George’s Cathedral Wale Street Cape Town A tribute to Rob Meek by Andrew Flint Rob’s partner at GAPP Architects It is with profound shock and sadness that we record the sudden untimely death of Rob, who died from a gunshot wound as a result of an attempted armed robbery attack on New Year’s eve whilst he was on holiday with his family at Sinangwana on the wild coast near …

20:00 Sunday 5th January 2013 Race HQ has issued the following statement: BILLE reported earlier today mainsail problems and that they were proceeding back to Cape Town for repairs. At 15:00 a report was received that the boat was dismasted and there were a number of serious injuries on board. Sadly the yacht reported a fatality of one crew member. MRCC (Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre) have activated all their agencies and we are in constant communication with the vessel. Race …