A total of 24 South Africans are participating in this year’s Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which is set to dock in Cape Town next week.
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The teams are currently travelling on the 3.555-nautical-mile route from their stopover in Punta del Este, Uruguay. It is the eleventh time that the Clipper Race will arrive in Cape Town.
The crew is expected to arrive from 9 November. ‘We look forward to welcoming the Clipper Race community of Race Crew, family, and friends back to the city of Cape Town and the V&A Waterfront,’ says Daved Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront.
‘Both the port of Cape Town, and the Waterfront have a rich history of hosting ocean racing passing through the South Atlantic, which is considered a core challenge to any sailing competition.’
‘In Cape Town, Clipper Race Crew will be welcomed to world class infrastructure, from repair facilities to hospitality and many other critical services and logistics to support their event. Ours is a location like no other, attracting global attention to our beautiful city and creating opportunities for tourism. We are ready for you.’
Only seven of the 24 South African nationals will move on to the next leg of the race, which consists of 4.750 nautical miles across the Roaring Forties between Cape Town and Fremantle in Australia.
Ryan Gibson, Skipper of Dare To Lead, is one of those making his way back to the Mother City.
‘Since sailing out of Cape Town in 2008 to the Caribbean, my dream was to always sail back in from abroad so doing it during the Clipper Race, skippering a boat, will certainly be the highlight of my career, and something I’ll remember forever!’
Dale Smith, Race Skipper on the 2017-18 edition and currently at the helm of Qingdao, says sailing into Table Bay is one of the most iconic landfalls across sailing history.
‘Heading home for me is always incredibly special, as there really is no city in the world quite so beautiful and welcoming. As the backdrop of Table Mountain unfolds with its perfect tablecloth warning of a strong South Easterly in the bay and the incredible marine life becoming denser with each mile, it’s an arrival by sea they will never forget.’
‘For me personally, returning to Cape Town is always amazing, being welcomed back to family and a tightly knit sailing community that has encouraged me to develop my sailing and sailing career since I was a child. I look forward to sharing my city with all of our crew.’
During the crew’s stay in Cape Town, supporters and the public can look forward to activities such as free yacht tours. For a full itinerary of events, visit this link.
To keep up to date with the fleet, visit the Race Viewer.
Details:
- Cost: Free
- Time: 10am to 6pm
- Date: 10 to 16 November
- Location: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
- Contact: [email protected]
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