Heineken Cape to Bahia Race - Update

LINE HONOURS LOOM FOR WINDSONG IN HEINEKEN CAPE TO BAHIA

The hi-tech racer Windsong is fast approaching the finish line to take line honours in the mono-hull class in the Heineken Cape to Bahia ocean race. The 37-feet Reichel Pugh design yacht, skippered by Rob Meek, is still 253 miles off and is currently expected in Salvador early Friday morning. Windsong is also the handicap leader and will then have to wait for the rest of the top handicap contenders to finish before knowing if they have also captured the coveted South Atlantic trophy.

Communication from the boat was short as the crew are obviously focussing on the finish line. Crewmember Matt Trautman from KwaZulu Natal wrote earlier: “Not far to go now. We’re heading south at the moment, so we can gybe and get a good angle into Salvador with some decent wind. The boat is holding up alright, but we had to coax the watermaker to get her to work every day. We’re looking forward to a cold beer!"

Polo Sport Gumption, skippered by Gauteng businessman Nicholas Mace, remains in second position on handicap and continues to chew into Windsong’s lead, but is still 259 miles behind with time running out. 80-year old Gawie Fagan on Suidoos 2 is tenaciously clinging to his third place on handicap and is currently averaging just over 7 knots with the rest of the fleet still chasing hard.

John Martin and his naval crew on MTU Fascination of Power is finally back into the wind and managed to cover almost 200 miles in the past 24 hours to keep fourth position. During a telephone conversation earlier, Martin reported that the crew is still upbeat, but that the slow progress of last couple of days has taken its toll. “The last three days were really bad news. I thought that we were through the system, but then got caught again. We probably lost over a day, which is really tough. Morale is high and everyone is doing great. We’re still working hard to see if we can’t finish third,” mentioned Martin.

German entry Mamelie has maintained her position in fifth place and is ecstatic with their constant 15 knots of wind. “If we continue at this pace, we might eventually be able to shake off our closest competitors. We’re currently making ground on Suidoos2, but it’s going to be tight as we need to give them almost three days on handicap.”

Anthony Spillebeen, who is sailing double-handed with JJ Provoyeur on Devonvale Broadreach, is upbeat about their progress. “It is time for us to boogaloo. We’re 745 miles from Salvadore with the kite up on self-steering. We’re currently doing 9.2 knots and sometimes surfing at 12 knots. She's doing a mighty fine job. For those of you who know JJ's obsession with fine steerage, spare him a thought as you interpret the significance of today’s report heading. He rides every wave like he was playing the piano. I just go right through them, hence to say my sleep time is substantially more subdued than his.”

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