SAILING: Jonathan Spencer Jones
WITH little more than two weeks to go before the start of the next Rothmans Cape to Rio race, preparations are gathering pace for this, one of the foremost southern hemisphere yachting events.
Yet it has not proved as popular as had been expected with the final total of 59 entries for the Rio race falling far short of both the 120 that were expected, and the 82 yachts that set sail in the last event three years ago.
But it is likely to prove as exciting as ever with the current record for the crossing of 15 days three hours, set by Broomstick in the last race, under threat from several entrants. But time is running out for Broomstick owner Dr Michel Kast to complete the modifications that would ensure her competitiveness.
The two top favourites are undoubtedly Fancourt’s Morning Glory, owned by German Dr Hasso Plattner, and Swede Ludde Ingvall’s Nicorette. Plattner, who won the 1993 event on handicap on the 15,4m Morning Glory, has returned to defend the title with a larger 24,5m carbon fibre-constructed ILC70.
Nicorette, on the other hand, is both smaller — 21,8m — and older, begining her career in the 1989 Whitbread. But after substantial modifications has established an impressive record, including winning the 1995 Fastnet race with a full 24-hour lead over her nearest
But there will be strong competition from other entrants, including the new Simonis 60 Warrior owned by Phil Gutsche and to be skippered by Rick Nankin and another Simonis 60 Merlin, owned by Bill Jones, a near sister ship to Padda Kuttel’s Namsa Challenger which came second on handicap in the 1993 race.
Much of the attraction of the Cape to Rio has been that many entrants have participated for the sheer enjoyment of doing so, and still the majority of entries fall into this class: Sammy Naidu on his self-built Aquarius 1, a group of UCT students sailing H20 International, the “all-girl” crew headed by Marion Cole on Kelly Girl and Dudley Dix on Black Cat which he designed himself.
Bertie Reed will be back sailing his L34 Three Ships Whisky with a modified keel to improve performance, as will veteran Voortrekker II under her new name Trekker 2, having been extnsively overhauled by new owner Alf Duncan. The South African Navy will be entering their Centurions Southern Floe and Southern Maid, as well as their latest acquisition the Fast 42 Umoya Omusha.
The Rio race begins on January 6 with an optional start for the slower yachts in the cruiser class on January 1.