Maserati Cape Town Race Week: DAY 3 (17.12.16)
Massive boost for Nitro as Day 3 sailed on
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| Pic: Ashleigh de Villiers Race Day three was an action packed one at the Maserati Cape Town Race Week thanks to a good south easter that produced steady wind and some strong gusts, causing a few yachts to broach in the building breeze.
Other than a few tipsy sail boats today, the first three days of Cape Town Race Week, hosted by the Royal Cape Yacht Club, have been a picture-perfect example of what sailing is all about in the Mother City. As for the racing, once again, 30 boats lined up to take part in South Africa’s premier regatta. The weather was good, with the winds building after yesterday’s becalmed conditions.
The five days of racing takes place in Table Bay, and today’s action saw boats race from Milnerton towards Woodstock, with a second leg that went up towards Blouberg.
As has been the case all week, it was yachts Nitro and Cape Fling leading the charge, Nitro taking
the win to go along with their day one victory.
According to those out on the water, gusts of wind reached about 25 knots, which is strong enough
to cause some concern for boats on the turn, but otherwise conditions were perfect.
“It was an absolutely fantastic day out on the water,” says Royal Cape Yacht Club commodore Vitor Medina who is participating in yacht NSRI Far Med (third in the club division two today). “We couldn't have asked for better. The day started with a 15 knot breeze and kept building, allowing us
to fly down the coast. It’s what we live for.”
Medina’s sentiments were echoed by others. “It was another day of good sailing,” said yacht CFM 2’s Gareth Blanckenberg, who represented South Africa in sailing at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. “Three days in and we’ve been lucky with the weather; normally this time of year you can get some horrible days where the south easter just blows and blows aggressively. It’s been great so far.”
Blanckenberg says that the appeal of sailing lies in the fact that it is a sport for life, and that anyone can get into it no matter their age. “I remember there was a chap at the Royal Cape Yacht Club sailing well into his 90s!” Based on the diverse crews participating at the Cape Town Race Week his assertion rings true. The yachts are all crewed by young men, older men, old men, and a healthy smattering of female sailors.
“The roles on the boat are all different,” says Blanckenberg, “so you have the younger guys for the running around, and maybe the grinder position which needs a lot of strength, and the more experienced crew to call the shots. It creates a really unique experience.”
It’s a unique experience that is open to anyone, which is the ultimate aim of the Cape Town Race Week and the Royal Cape Yacht Club. “We want to expose sailing to more people, and with the help of the event and our partners Maserati, the Royal Cape Yacht Club will be able to do that,” says Medina. “The Yacht Club also has a ‘Bums on Boats’ campaign running, where every Wednesday night anyone can come down and we will find them a boat. That’s how three of my permanent crew started. They came and never left!”
Cape Town Race Week was so far thrilled with the progress of the event, just the second time it has been held. “The idea is to create a world class racing environment for South Africa and the rest of the world’s finest boats, and to showcase Cape Town as a sailing destination. I’d say we’re on the right track at this stage.”
Day Three Provisional results
IRC 1 DIVISION
1 Nitro
2 Cape Fling
3 Vulcan
IRC 2 DIVISION
Holland Jacana
CFM 2
Windpower
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 3. Stay tuned.
Till next time. . .
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