Cape Town to Salvador

Race across the South Atlantic to start on 4 January.

A strong international fleet will be on the starting line for the first Heineken Cape to Bahia race, starting from Cape Town on Wednesday, 4 January. At close of entries earlier this week, 31 yachts will challenge for the trophy in this blue water epic, which will be finishing in the stunning coastal city of Salvador, capital of the state of Bahia in Brazil.

The international contingent makes up a third of the fleet and represents five different continents and eight different countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil and the British Virgin Islands. The race will be contested in monohull and multihull categories, with ten multihulls entered for the race fleet. Top contender for line honours in the multihull class is the Brazilian entry Adrenalina Pura, which completed the previous race to Rio de Janeiro in 15 days.

A tightly contested battle is also expected for handicap honours and the South Atlantic trophy with Hi-Fidelity, Windsong and Gumption pegged as early favourites. Gawie Fagan’s Suidoos will remain a threat and double-handed entry After You with solo sailor JJ Provoyeur and Anthony Spillebeen could also be in the running.

For the first time in the history of the race, singlehanded entries will form part of the starting line-up. South Africa’s Matthew Thomas has entered the 6.5m long Mini Running with Scissors as the smallest yacht in the race. Two other Mini-Transat sailors from the UK and Argentina will also participate to create a race within a race.

According to race organisers, the significant international presence can be attributed to the new, exciting route across the South Atlantic between Cape Town and Salvador.“It is also a confirmation of Cape Town’s steadily growing reputation as a hub for nternational ocean racing,” stated Bruce Parker-Forsyth of Worldsport SA. Cape Town has proven without a doubt that it can stage big international ocean races and that it sports all the facilities and infrastructure required to host stopovers and fleet starts. There is a majestic quality to an arrival into or departure from Table Bay with the signature of Table Mountain as a backdrop.”