18.01.2009
news...from Jeanne van Rooyen - 20090118 Race HQ, Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
It's the final countdown for the two super-maxi's
as Race Organizers in Salvador, prepare for the arrival of the first yacht across the finish line in the 2009 Heineken Cape to Bahia Yacht Race. Who will take home the coveted De Beers Trophy for line-honour ? Will it be the 90 foot US super-maxi, Rambler or will it be Icap Leopard the 100 footer from the UK ?
Said Eric Wells, technical director for the Race :-
" with Icap Leopard being 146 miles ahead of its Challenger, Rambler, it looks like the race for line honours is over. At the reporting time this morning, Icap leopard had 806 miles to go and we are expecting her to finish some time late on Tuesday afternoon, and Rambler about 15 hrs later".
"from reports from the two protagonists, they have been racing hard and have enjoyed rejoining the long-standing battle against each other". " The crews are looking forward to coming ashore and savouring the sponsor's product".
In terms of the handicap positions, CT yacht Hifidelity is holding a narrow lead over Rambler with Icap Leopard in 3rd place, some way back.
It should be remembered that Icap Leopard has been optimised for the line-honours rather than the handicap race.
These three yachts are followed by Overproof, the smallest yacht in the race, which has had to jury rig a steering mechanism as a result of rudder breakages. In 5th position, the famous Voortrekker, grand old lady of the sea, which is being superbly sailed by a crew from the Izivunguvungu sailing school.
Meanwhile in the Cruising Class, the focus is more on appreciating the delicious fish cakes, a hot shower and the natural splendour on St. Helena than their 1913 nautical passage ahead to Salvador.
The 33 Cruisers have a compulsory mininimal stop-over of 24 hours on the Island of St. Helena and the first Cruiser is expected to complete the passage in just over 22 days.
Casualties of the race thus far include German entry Vineta, sailed by a largely SA crew, who lost her mast , 4 days into the race and is sailing under jury rig to Walvis Bay whilst the late entry, Ponty Leisure later on the same day, suffered damage to the top of her mast and had to retire from the race. She is also heading for Walvis Bay.
The Brazilians are geared to welcome the racers to the stunning port of Salvador and the crews can look forward to lovely weather, great food and fabulous hospitality from the locals.
ends.
Handicap Position report : Sunday 18th January 2009
1st HiFidelity
2nd - Rambler
3rd - Icap Leopard
4th - OverProof
5th - Voortrekker
6th - MTU Fascination of Power
7th - Jacana
8th - Smooth Torquer
9th - Impiana
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