PERFECT sailing conditions have been forecast for the start of the sixth Cape-to-Rio yacht race, which gets under way on Saturday at 3pm from the Cape Town harbour.
A record 80 boats from nine different countries are contesting the highly tactical race of more than 3000 nautical miles.
Nine yachts in the slower cruising class set sail for Rio de Janerio on January 2, but one of them — the Spirit of Sanlam — has already dropped out with engine problems.
After almost a week on the water, Manex Southern Isles and Highnoon Environ, are battling it out for the lead.
From Saturday, interest will focus on the faster boats.
Three maxis — yachts measuring between 75 and 80 feet — are expected to compete for line honours. The three boats, Sagamore, Zephyrus IV and Portugal Brazil 500, are hoping to break the crossing record of 14 days and 15 hours if weather conditions are favourable.
In the handicap class, race secretary Eric Wells is putting his money on Africa Group, saying he expects light sailing conditions which will favour the smaller boats.