Heineken Cape to Bahia Race - Finish

FLURRY OF FINISHES IN HEINEKEN CAPE TO BAHIA YACHT RACE

The 37-foot Reichel Pugh design Windsong, skippered by Rob Meek, took line honours in the mono-hull class of the Heineken Cape to Bahia yacht race when they finished in 16 days 2 hours and 46 minutes on Friday evening. Skipper Rob Meek and his crew are obviously delighted with this achievement and look set to make it a double whammy with the handicap honours as well. Depending on the finish times of the rest of the fleet, Windsong could join only two other boats in the history of the race to win both line honours and the South Atlantic handicap trophy.

Polo Sport Gumption, skippered by Gauteng businessman Nicholas Mace, put up a brave fight after instrument failure earlier in the race caused them to divert to a more northerly course than originally planned. However, as the South Atlantic high pressure system played havoc on the fleet, the northerly route suddenly looked tactically like an inspired move. As the rest of the fleet was becalmed, Gumption still managed speeds in excess of 8 knots to make up valuable time. Gumption finished her race on Saturday evening in 17 days 1 hour 42 minutes – a mere 23 hours behind the superfast, light-weight Windsong to provisionally take the second spot on handicap.

It now becomes a waiting game for the yachts that have already finished. Gawie Fagan’s Suidoos 2 is clinging tenaciously to the third spot on the handicap ratings and could still be a threat to the second placed Polo Sport Gumption. Son Henry Fagan reported that all is well on board the 29-feet yacht and that everyone is in good shape. “Conditions are still favourable for excellent trade-wind sailing. We’re flying along beautifully with just over 470 nautical miles to go to the finish.”

The race committee in Salvador is currently frantically busy organising a warm Salvador welcome with dancing groups, traditional blessings and samba bands for the next arrivals due later on Monday. Australian Neville Stanford and his crew on the multi-hull Blithe Spirit and sailing legend John Martin and his naval crew on MTU Fascination of Power finished within hours of each other. Blithe Spirit finished in 19 days 11 hours 36 minutes, while Martin clocked in at 19 days 13 hours 47 minutes just after 15h00 SA time. The double-handed entry Devonvale Broadreach with JJ Provoyeur and Anthony Spillebeen on board is also expected to finish shortly.

However, the wind gods continue to haunt the competitors as lighter airs are being reported throughout the fleet. A very frustrated JJ Provoyeur reported being stuck only 15 miles from the finish. “I can’t believe it. We are currently doing only 3 knots and the wind has literally died on us. We had John Martin in sight earlier, but they’ve disappeared and we’re still out here. It is excruciating!!”

Martin and his crew have been relegated to fifth position on handicap by the German entry Mamelie, who snuck into fourth place on handicap over the weekend. Devonvale Broadreach is currently in sixth place.

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