A local father and son from Muldersdrift formed part of the Cool Ideas Nemesis team that started the Cape to Rio race on January 2. Ticking off this item on their bucket list, Ted Barale wanted to share this incredible sailing experience with his son, Gino.
The Nemesis is a Fast 42 yacht that was designed and built in South Africa. The crew consists of Tony Bailes the skipper, Sigi Bailes the navigator, Anthony Engelbrecht, Michael Bill and Ted and Gino Barale. While Cape to Rio is a 3 800nm race across the South Atlantic, it starts in Cape Town and ends 21 days later in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Although Ted had done a cross-Atlantic race more than 30 years ago, it was still a newish experience for the 63-year-old – something that his wife, Sam said he wanted to share with their 20-year-old son. Although Gino was originally only supposed to be part of the team to bring the Nemesis back to South Africa, he had to step up when one of the team members had to pull out. Meaning that he will be sailing to Rio and back.
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They both belong to the Lake Deneys Yacht Club and while chatting over a beer one day, the idea started forming. They wanted to do it properly and both went to get their skippers licences. From there they started asking around to see who would like to join them, and they convinced two others.
Sigi and Tony, the owners of the boat, was asked to sail with them or sell them the boat, but the Bailes couple decided to rent the boat to them and sail with them. Cool Ideas sponsored the team with almost half a million rand while the rest of the money was raised by the team through their own businesses.
That was two years ago.
Training took place on the Vaal followed by a year of practicing in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Sam told the News that Cape Aghulas was a challenge and on their last night on one of their trips they had to contend with winds of 51 knots which amounts to 94,452 kph.
They travelled up and down and had to wait for the right weather, which often caused cancellations of their training if the winds were to high.
The team kept their family and spectators up to date via their Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084678971496].
They said that on day one they had some fast sailing in 2m to 3m swells.
The team said that with the bigger swells they were receiving at times cooking was difficult. Although Ted planned on making bolognaise with garlic bread but the team decided a pre-cooked meal would be easier.
“Voila! Bolognaise ala beef stew instead with pasta. Next time we label the bags.”
The next day, however Ted, who they call strap-a-chef because he has to be strapped into the galley, managed to prepare the promised bolognaise.
“He did finally admit all credits go to Sam [his wife]. Thanks Sam, it was delicious and hugely appreciated by the team. In fact, Gino asked afterward if Sam had cooked it for us as it tasted just like moms.”
The team also did some fishing and Gino landed a dorado but unfortunately the dorado hopped its way back into the water. Then the teams reached the halfway mark and celebrated with some cold beers. To do a mini celebration, Gino woke Ted up while the rest of the crew slept through the halfway mark. Apart from spinnaker problems, the team also struggled with their water maker many times.
Gino will be sailing back with another team once the repairs on the boat is done and a well-deserved rest has taken place.
