The Cape 31 Tip of Africa event, the first in the Summer in the South series, saw a 10-strong Cape 31 fleet race in iconic Table Bay – home to the Cape 31.
A competitive fleet
Nine good races spanned over three days. Ably run by Royal Cape Yacht Club’s Kerry Pryde and bridge officer Doug Allison, the racing was world class. South Africans who are used to competing on the world stage like Tony Norris, Paul Willcox, Mark Sadler and Matthew Whitehead, joined both local and international teams in the 3 day event. The course for the first day was set in Granger Bay, a reliable place to race in a gentle westerly wind. Austrian team Stella Maris clinched victories in races 1 and 3, while the British/South African team of Mike Bartholomew’s Tokoloshe, claimed race 2. Local teams Nitro, Nemesis, and TnT were placed on the podium too, showing just how strong the level of competition was.
Day 2 saw similar conditions with three races and four starts, including a general recall in Race 2. Tokoloshe and TnT secured victories, with Scorpio and a new team to the international fleet, Black Battalion rounding off the podium.
Davey James, Cape 31 boat builder and owner of Scorpio said, “It’s awesome to see 10 boats, including three international teams, all having the most awesome sailing. We’re now really looking forward to our other three events in February.”
It was anyone’s regatta
Heading into the final day several teams were in the running for the podium as many were carrying big discards. Races 7,8 and 9 took place in the Milnerton area of Table Bay. With race wins from Tokoloshe and Stella Maris, Tokoloshe and TnT shared the top spot going into the final race. TnT looked to be coming away with the win, but Tokoloshe climbed their way back from deeper in the fleet to secure a second-place finish and the overall victory in the first event of the Summer in the South Series. TnT took second place, and Scorpio claimed third.
Tony Norris, TnT said, “The conditions were really good, and it was cool to be racing the 31 again.”
See full results.
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- Tokoloshe wins the Cape 31 Tip of Africa event.
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- TnT takes second in the Cape 31 Tip of Africa Event
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- Scorpio places 3rd in the Cape 31 Tip of Africa event
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- The Cape 31 Tip of Africa trophy
A well run event
TnT (Tina Plattner and Tony Norris) kindly sponsored the event. They organised for the fleet to be moored in the V&A Marina. Tracey Whitehead ran the shore side of the event and did a great job in setting up the race village. The village included a coffee truck and a food truck serving breakfasts and a complimentary post-racing meal for all sailors. Ample seating was provided so sailors could chat about the day’s events with good tunes in the background. Daily after-race drinks were sponsored by North Sails, Ullman and Harken. Local South African teams turned on true Cape hospitality for the foreign teams.
The combination of competitive sailing, beautiful surroundings, and a welcoming community made it a memorable event for all participants.
The Summer in the South Series will continue in February. Charter and new boat opportunities will be made available for teams to race in the local conditions these boats are built for!
Check out the Cape 31 Racing calendar for more info.
Pic credits: Matthew du Toit
