Cape Town departure imminent

Leg five of the Global Challenge gets underway tomorrow

Leg 5 of the Global Challenge is starting this weekend (Sunday 1 May 2005) at 14.00 (local time) in Cape Town, South Africa, bound for Boston in the USA.

Last night saw the Leg 4 Prize Giving at the Rickety Bridge Winery, in the spectacular vineyards just outside of Cape Town.

Eight coach-loads of crew, their friends, family, supporters, sponsors and the race organisers were welcomed to the Mediterranean-style manor house with a glass of champagne and then summoned through into a huge marquee where proceedings got underway, commencing with an exquisite dinner.

Alistair Hackett from race organisers, Challenge Business welcomed everyone to the event, to a background of Leg 4 footage filmed by the crews and put together by Meridian ITV. Sir Chay Blyth also took to the stage to introduce a number of VIP dignitaries who were on hand to celebrate with the crews and present the awards.

As well as awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd (Spirit of Sark, BP Explorer and Team Stelmar respectively) there were a raft of other awards and recognitions. Charlie Smith who was a CV on Veritas in the BT Global Challenge 2000/01 flew out from the UK to present the Veritas Cup of Courage. Charlie was severely injured in the last race on Leg 4 from Sydney and has since had 18 operations.

The award went to Alistair ‘Hamish’ Owen of Barclays Adventurer to a standing ovation. Hamish had suffered a debilitating medical condition on Leg 4 but as his skipper of Barclays Adventurer, Stuart Alexander, explains he “always endeavoured to make a difference to all the crew and has set an example as a real team player.

”Seeing the physical pain and mental frustration Hamish has endured in the most adverse conditions has put the on deck battles into perspective for all.”

After the elaborate ceremony tables were cleared for dancing and partying the night away with a jukebox (traditional in South Africa) blasting tunes out, including crew songs.

The next leg is the longest leg of the Global Challenge totally more than 7,775nm and is due to arrive in Boston from the 6th June onwards.