THE Vasco da Gama Ocean Race is the oldest coastal ocean race on the South African sailing calendar. Next year it will be sailed for the 44th time.
Originally a race from Maputo to Durban in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, politics forced the race out of Mozambique and into a race from Durban to East London.
After 24 races to East London and renewed friendships between Mozambique and South Africa, the race reverted to Maputo in 2002.
For the next three years the race will once again go south from Durban and finish in Port Elizabeth, adding an additional 100 nautical miles to the distance, making it a 400nm ocean race.
“The rules and regulations for a yacht going foreign, plus the high costs, have not created significant growth for the race” said Jon Marshall, Rear Commodore Keelers at the Point Yacht Club (PYC). “This is why we have chosen to go to Port Elizabeth”.
“We believe that the changes will revitalise this historic event, and even make the race attractive to competitors from outside our Province.
“We have interest from Algoa Bay Yacht Club (ABYC), the finishing Club in Port Elizabeth, plus growing interest from the Cape” said Marshall.
Statistics show that in the last 8 races there has been little if any growth and that it had become too club parochial.
Expanding it to become a truly national ocean race again, should bring renewed interest and with it entries from around the country.
Additional positive changes which will see the race grow are:
• Partnering with another South African yacht club helps to spread the benefits associated with the race within South Africa and provides opportunity for linking into other sailing events.
• Taking the race half way to the Cape makes it more accessible to a wider number of people and boats.
• Timing minimises leave requirements meaning if crew is short of leave only one day’s leave is needed to complete the race, three days leave for a return delivery.
• Arriving in a secure environment. And it’s possible to leave boats in this secure environment if necessary.
• It becomes possible to make an event out of the build up and start for the city of Durban and sailing in SA generally.
• Reduces red tape and costs for owners.
• The additional 100 miles brings it more into line with other serious international races most of which are in the 500 – 600 mile range.
The change should in fact be positive for ocean racing in the country as it will let finishers in Port Elizabeth compete in the ABYC annual Algoa Bay Sailing Week, should they choose to.
Plus, and an important consideration, is that these two events alone should have Cape yachtsmen salivating, as a race from Port Elizabeth after the Vasco da Gama Race will complete a circuit – something Cape yachtsmen are getting excited about.
Chris Grylls, President of the Algoa Bay Yacht Club said “We look forward to partnering with the PYC and seeing the Vasco da Gama race being raced exclusively in South African waters and finishing in Port Elizabeth. It will indeed be a fillip to ocean racing, not only in our area, but all South Africa.”
With April to June providing some of the best weather along our coast, the change of course should see the Vasco da Gama Race increase in popularity.
