Maserati Cape Town Race Week- DAY 1 (15.12.16)

The Ultimate Race Week in the Mother City's calendar kicked off at the V&A Waterfront

Waterfront: Supplied by Tenfour Media

The 2016 edition of the Maserati Cape Town Race Week, the second time the event has been held following a successful debut last year, started in perfect sailing conditions at the V&A Waterfront on Thursday, December 15. 

30 boats lined up at the start for a week of high octane racing and equally action-packed evening functions. The Cape Town Race Week will eventually culminate with a race prologue of sorts for the 2017 Cape2Rio presented by Maserati. 

The boats set in motion were Nitro and Cape Fling. Nitro, the overall winners of the 2015 Cape Town Race Week, were a definite favourite to defend the title. Cape Fling eventually finished first, with Nitro in second on the day. Protests held up the result being announced, but in the end Cape Fling was awarded the provisional victory. 

Pic: Kim van Zyl

Markus Progly of the yacht Vulcan, which will also sail in the Cape2Rio albeit with a different crew, called the day and conditions “champagne racing”. Vulcan is another favourite for the overall title at the Cape Town Race Week, but ruled themselves out of contention on the first day when they picked up a strange vibration in their rudder. “It just kept getting worse, even after we stopped to look at it, so we decided to ease off and cruise home,” said Progly. 

Progly’s crew mate, Cameron Boustead, said that events like the Maserati Cape Town Race Week were crucial in showcasing the sport to a wider audience, while at the same time giving the local sailing a community an international-level event to participate in. “I sailed in Race Week last year and it was great fun, well organised and an excellent experience,” said Boustead. “Cape Town Race Week is something that really makes sailing more visible to more people.”

Pic: Ashleigh de Villiers

The sentiments were echoed by Nitro’s David Rae. “Cape Town Race Week is great for the sport,” 

he said. “Cape Town sailors are very proud of what they have, so it’s a great way to show off the area.” Rae added that Nitro’s day on the water was tough due to the two transition zones on the course. “Because of that the boats parked up twice, but otherwise it was a good day. The wind was 

a perfect south wester and though it died towards the end of the race, it was good sailing. We are a Cape Town based boat, so we are very keen to do well in our ‘home’ event.” 

Race chairman and event director Simon Borchert was thrilled with the start of the racing. “The weather played ball, there was some excitement at the start, and it looks like everyone had a great first day on the water. By moving the event’s Race Village into the V&A Waterfront we’ve got a wonderful opportunity to generate interest in sailing, not to mention one of the most scenic settings 

in the world for a regatta. It promises to be a fantastic week ahead.”

The second day of Cape Town Race Week would be underway at 12 noon on Friday 16 December from Jetty 2 at the V&A Waterfront. Also on the Jetty is the Corsa Classica – Maserati’s exhibition 

of some of their rarest vehicles – visitors will also find pop-up stores and view the racing yachts from around the world.

Cape Town Race Week day 1 provisional results:

IRC Division 1

1 Cape Fling

2 Nitro

3 Vulcan (retired)

IRC Division 2

1 Bally Hoo Too

2 Hollard Jacana

3 Tenacity

Maserati Cape Town Race Week is South Africa’s premier yachting regatta. The mix of world-class yacht racing and shoreside events and parties is being hosted over six days from 15 to 20 December 2016.  It is run under five racing divisions: IRC 1, IRC 2 and three Club Divisions, which ensures close, exciting and enjoyable sailing. The regatta attracts sailors from South Africa and around the world. 

For more information, shoreside events, boat charters and more visit: www.capetownraceweek.com

That's a wrap from day 1. Stay tuned.

Till next time. . .