Sailing Magazine
IRC – Volvo Ocean Race Invitational Incorporating the 2014 IRC National Championships
7th – 9th November 2014
IRC South Africa is proud to announce the first ever local regatta to be held in conjunction with the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Cape Town. The regatta, known as the IRC – Volvo Ocean Race Invitational, will be held during the same time when all Volvo 65’s are in parc ferme’ for maintenance and repairs after their first leg from Alicante to Cape Town. The Invitational is a first for many reasons; IRC SA is especially excited about the prospect of all our top racing boats being showcased in one area, which is the glamorous world of Volvo Ocean racing and the Volvo Ocean Race Village, all happening in the heart of the world famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
The IRC – Volvo Ocean Race Invitational will also double up as the 2014 IRC South African championships which forms part of the newly established IRC Cape Summer Series, incorporating all the top regattas hosted in the Cape; these include the Intasure Spring Regatta, IRC Volvo Ocean Race Invitational, Crocs Summer regatta, the Mid-Summer Fling regatta and then finishing off with the ever popular Club Mykonos Offshore.
“There is a healthy mix of IRC rated yachts in Cape Town and Durban and we are hoping that some of our Durban friends will make the pilgrimage to Cape Town, not only to compete in the Invitational but join the fleet in all the other summer events on offer in Table Bay” says Hylton Hale chairman of IRC SA, “The regatta organisers have promised a variable mix of race courses, including a double points medium distance race, planned for the Saturday”
IRC SA is also pleased to announce that the well campaigned Corby 49 “Cape Fling” will remain at our shores to continue with her racing as well as taking on some of the new hardware on offer. Cape Fling’s previous owner is shipping in the very fast and exciting Reichel Pugh 52 “Highland Fling” which is a design based on the world renowned TP52. It is especially pleasing to see some of the previously campaigned boats back in the mix, with the promise of three revived Simonis 35’s as well as some new imports such as the Beneteau First 40 and the J111’s.
IRC SA’s other regular boat owners have all promised to support the regatta which will mean an estimated 20 to 25 entries made up of grand prix race boats to competitive cruiser racers.
Back to defend their 2013 titles will be Division one champions Phil Gutshe and his team on the Landmark 43 “Windpower” and Division two champions Robbie van Rooyen and his team on the Farr 38 A-L.
The IRC Volvo Ocean Race Invitational is only open to IRC rated yachts who have 2014/15 certificates; available moorings are limited due to space constraints in the Volvo Ocean Race marina; which means that mooring allocations will be treated on a first enter first serve basis.
For further information on the programme of events, Notice of Race and entry forms please go to www.ircsa.co.za or www.rcyc.co.za In addition IRC SA will be posting regular updates on the IRC SA Facebook Page.
