Heineken Cape to Bahia Race - Update

HANDICAP HUNT IS ON FOR HEINEKEN CAPE TO BAHIA FLEET

The Simonis Fast40 Polo Sport Gumption is chasing hard to decrease the lead between her and handicap frontrunner Windsong, skippered by Rob Meek, in the Heineken Cape to Bahia yacht race. Gauteng businessman Nicholas Mace and his crew are pushing the boat hard and managed a distance of 232 nautical miles at a pace of 9.6 knots during the past 24 hours. While Windsong only has 455 miles to the finish line in Salvador and is enjoying good breezes and boat speed, Polo Sport Gumption still trails by approximately 280 miles and will definitely put up a good fight.

Gumption took the most northerly route of the whole fleet and the gamble is paying off handsomely as she moves into second position on the handicap rankings and relegating former handicap leader Suidoos 2 into third place. Fortunately the wind is coming through and most boats have reported significantly increased speeds and vastly improved spirits on board.

Skipper Mace is hoping to get stronger winds in order to haul in Windsong and has commented on the competitiveness of this race. “This is one of the only South Atlantic races in history that constitutes a genuine, highly competitive race. Mono-hull line honours could just as easily have gone to Hi-Fidelity, Thunderchild, Gumption, Unleashed or Windsong – a 5 boat race. The fact that it is Windsong, the smallest of these, leading shows just how tactical the race has been. Almost all the others have almost been foregone conclusions. Similarly, the handicap competition has been a very closely matched affair with likely candidates including MTU Fascination of Power, Devonvale Broadreach, Suidoos 2, Unzipped and Gilly B. It will be close in the end,” wrote Mace aka Skipper Sweetie.

John Martin and his naval entry MTU Fascination of Power remains in fourth, while the Germans on Mamelie are placed fifth. Double-handed entry Devonvale Broadreach has dropped down to sixth spot. In a message from Anthony Spillebeen, he mentioned that JJ Provoyeur had a nasty fall and is currently in quite some pain. “We were flying along and as we came off a relatively long surf, I just heard a bang and then the proverbial expletive. I found JJ prostrate on the leeward deck over the runner winch with that nasty little shiny bit digging into his ribs. No blood, but extremely painful.”

At the south of the fleet Thunderchild is still struggling for breeze and for the second day in the row had to face a low mileage of 73 miles. A report on their website reads: “Another frustrating day awaits us. It seems that someone has contrived to send us into every light aired area in the whole South Atlantic. This is day four of this no wind story and frustrations have given way to irritation. Everyone is on edge and it's not much fun to be aboard. All we can do is wait patiently for the wind to fill in - although the non-fulfilment of the past few days’ weather predictions has not left us with much hope for this. “

Towards the rear of the fleet, solo sailor Richard Smurthwaite on board Crean exulted in the long-awaited wind. “What a difference a day makes! Spirits are high again on Crean. This is what these mini-transat boats are made for. I have been surfing at 10-12 knots on a direct heading for Salvador and did 100 miles in 12 hours - certainly a personal record. Flying fish are now accompanying me in shoals of 200, which look like a flock of birds taking off - spectacular. I have devised a new way of keeping things on course whilst resting. I found that when the boat is heeled at the right angle, I can see the Windex through the hatch and can change direction from my bunk using the autopilot remote control,” reported Smurthwaite.

For updates and positions, visit www.heinekencapetobahia.co.za