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The Story

The Cape to Rio yacht race is a grueling competition across the South Atlantic, the longest continent to continent race in the southern hemisphere and a true test of a sailor’s mettle.

Born in a hut in the rural village of Qumbu in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, a young Sibusiso Sizatu makes the unexpected journey to Cape Town after learning about his real father. In the bustling, poverty-stricken township of Masiphumelele Sibu struggles to adapt to life in a big city and going to school for the first time. It isn’t too long before he has his first, disastrous introduction to sailing. Over the years that follow, he makes the incredible transition from being a carefree herd boy to a sailing instructor at the Royal Cape Yacht Club Sailing Academy. There he brings the sport of sailing to young, marginalized and at-risk kids all from townships of Cape Town, where they learn skills that give them hope and opportunities in the maritime industry.

It is also at the Academy where he sets himself an audacious goal: to compete in the iconic Cape to Rio yacht race… and to do so with a crew chosen solely from the Academy itself.

Ukuwela: The Crossing is the inspiring true story of a young team full of talent and determination, born into a difficult and troubled life, who achieve the impossible by not only competing in the Cape to Rio race but achieve a podium finish.

Credit: Richard Crockett and Sailing Publications

CAPE2RIO

In 1968, The South African purpose-built yacht Voortrekker, skippered by Bruce Dalling, placed second over the line and first on handicap in the Observer Single-handed TransAtlantic Race sailed between Plymouth, England and Newport, Rhode Island. His success turned him into a national hero and provided sailing in South Africa with a massive boost.

On her return to Cape Town after a season of racing in Europe, her owners, the South Africa Ocean Racing Trust, handed her over for the use of the South African Navy. It was at the handover that Vice Admiral HH Biermann suggested that South Africa should have its own ocean race, either to Australia or South America. The Springbok Ocean Racing Trust changed its name to the South African Ocean Racing Trust and immediately sprang into action. In co-operation with Clube de Rio de Janeiro, the race was organised in conjunction with the Cruising Association of South Africa (CASA) for 1971, at a date which would allow the finish to coincide with Carnival time.

The first race set off from Table Bay in 1971 and from the start attracted huge international interest. It is a fascinating and tactical race, demanding both seamanship and weather-savvy, being the longest continent-to-continent yacht race in the southern hemisphere.

After leaving Cape Town, participants head north-west towards the island of Ilha Trindade, and south-west from there towards South America. As they near the coast, skippers need to decide whether to take the longer route with stronger winds, or a more direct route with the chance for lighter winds.

The race not only links two of the world’s most beautiful seaports, it also hearkens back to the shared history of exploration that linked the two countries. (source: cape2riorace.com)