We are on-board the smallest yacht in the fleet (Wallbanger) which carried the smallest number of crew (four) AND sailed the smallest distance from Durban to Port Elizabeth in the 2015 Vasco Da Gama Ocean Race.
Vasco
Excitement builds ahead of Vasco da Gama Race 2015
The Vasco da Gama yacht race is the oldest coastal race in South Africa and the 2015 race is now the forty third race. Originally a race from Maputo (Lourenço Marques) to Durban in the late 60’s and 70’s, politics plus civil war forced the race out of Mozambique and into a race from Durban to East London. After 24 races to East London and renewed friendship with Mozambique and South Africa the race reverted back to Maputo in 2002.
For the next 3 years the race will once again go south from Durban and finish in Port Elizabeth (a good move as it keeps sailing in South Africa), adding an additional 100 nautical miles to the distance making it a 400 nm ocean race. This year the fleet is divided into 3 classes IRC/PHRF/Cruising, strategy and tactics will be the deciding factor. The use of the Agulhas current and the winds on the day and distance off-shore, will all play a part.
ABYC members are urged as with the success of the 505 Worlds, to get behind the Vasco Race, with the finish line off Shark Rock Pier on Hobie Beach a marker buoy (manned 24hrs), some spectacular sailing will be seen especially from the IRC fleet. The success of the race and future growth will be based on how members receive the participants – this is a given. The potential to link Vasco and Algoa Bay Week are enormous.
The Vasco starts on Saturday the 25 April 2015 @ 11h55 and the cut-off is Wednesday 29 April @ 12h00. Closer to the start date details of the “Tracking” will become available or alternatively visit Point Yacht Club web site.
