Durban: Saturday 22 April
The fifth entry has just been received for the upcoming Vasco da Gama yacht race being hosted by the Point Yacht Club, with the Commodore for the club, Craig Millar entering his team.
The race that starts offshore of Durban on Saturday 22 April, heads down beyond the Wild Coast with the finish line set off the friendly city of Port Elizabeth.
Millar, has been hard at work readying his yacht ARGO fy, a Jarkan Lyons 38. The yacht has been out of the water for a total refit. Although not revealing who his crew is just yet, the sailor of Clipper fame is working towards racing in the Mauritius to Durban yacht race that takes place in June, starting off Port Louis and finishing in Durban.
Millar joins an accomplished fleet in the Vasco race. First to enter was defending champion Rob van Rooyen racing on his trusty stead, Al Mount Gay Rum. Van Rooyen form Cape Town has won the two editions sailing to Port Elizabeth, and his hoping to make this his third victory. In the 2016 race, he won both the line honours in a record time of 2 days 6 hours 1min 22 sec and he claimed the handicap honours as well in his record sprint down the coastline.
The second entry received was from husband and wife team from Port Elizabeth, Tony and Sigi Bailes who will be competing again on their yacht Nemisis. The Bailes family has just completed the Cape 2 Rio yacht race on Ray of Light, sailing with Sigi’s sister Heidi Kavanagh and her family. They finished the Atlantic crossing in just over 19 days, finishing eighth in the IRC Division results.
Another PE local, John Tudehope was the third entry, racing on his boat Wallbanger. Tudehope is no stranger to this race with this year’s race being the third consecutive race he has competed in. Considered as a quiet, and determined man, he has indicated that he might even compete in the two-handed division.
The fourth returning entrant, Bernard Farmer will be at the starting line for the second year running on his yacht DARG Shadowfax. The second entry from Cape Town will be competing with a crew of five. The team are sailing while supporting the Domestic Animal Rescue Group in Hout Bay. Joining the uber organised skipper, Farmer are fellow Cape Town sailors Jax Brooks, Daniel Cilliers, Barnaby Steynor, Dave Garrard and JD Bothma.
“It is an exciting time with so many major international ocean races on the go. I have been watching with interest as the Vendee Globe concludes, and of course, the well-run Cape 2 Rio race that has all the boats sitting safely in Rio. I am itching to get on the water and can’t wait for our club’s ocean racing to get underway. The 125th year for the Point Yacht Club is going to be a memorable year, and I am delighted to be a part of it!” enthused the delighted Commodore and skipper after he confirmed ARGO fy for the Vasco race.
The 46th Vasco da Gama ocean race sets sail in April, with five entries confirmed at this stage, and lots of buzz around the country, promising more.
For more info visit www.pyc.co.za or like the club’s Facebook page.
