Yachts contesting the 2008/9 Ocean Race, sail a triangle around Table Bay, Cape town, on November 15, 2008, before setting off on the second leg, of 4450 Nautical Miles to Cochin, in India. This race, which takes place every three years, for 70-foot monohull sailing yachts, circumnavigating the globe, is known as the ultimate in ocean racing. Here, Puma, leads the fleet out of the harbour. AFP PHOTO / RODGER BOSCH
Cape Town set to host two international sailing regattas
The world’s leading Grand Prix monohull sailing circuit will start with two regattas in Cape Town, South Africa.
Yachts contesting the 2008/9 Ocean Race, sail a triangle around Table Bay, Cape town, on November 15, 2008, before setting off on the second leg, of 4450 Nautical Miles to Cochin, in India. This race, which takes place every three years, for 70-foot monohull sailing yachts, circumnavigating the globe, is known as the ultimate in ocean racing. Here, Puma, leads the fleet out of the harbour. AFP PHOTO / RODGER BOSCH
Cape Town will host two regattas to launch the start of a six-regatta 2020 52 Super Series which includes four popular sailing destinations in Europe.
The world’s leading Grand Prix monohull circuit will start with two regattas in South Africa in March and April and return to the Mediterranean for regattas in Scarlino, Tuscany in May, Porto Cervo, Sardinia in June, and Valencia in July, before concluding in Mallorca at Puerto Portals in September.
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It will be the first time that the circuit has hosted regattas in the Southern Hemisphere and already there is considerable anticipation among the fleet.
The move has been under discussion for some months, but following a recent venue visit, the green light was given and planning is already underway for the two regattas, the first from February 29 to March 6 and the second event from March 30 to April 4.
The fleet will be based at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront where sailing fans will be able to enjoy their first glimpse of the TP52 fleet, including the home South-African-flagged Phoenix teams of Hasso and Tina Plattner.
Kristina Plattner, owner-driver of The Phoenix, is delighted the circuit will now race on the home waters where she and many of her crew are based, many of whom are veterans of the emblematic Shosholoza 32nd America’s Cup campaign, which made friends and fans all around the world.
The series launched a drive for environmental sustainability in 2018 and remains committed to ensuring the sport embraces the notion of clean Oceans.
“Our purpose is to develop and sustain the racing circuit at the highest level and at the same time to harness the passion of our sailors for clean seas and a long term sustainable environment to ensure we inspire and excite people all around the world to think and act,” said Agustin Zulueta, CEO of the 52 SUPER SERIES.
Lars Böcking, 52 SUPER SERIES Chief Sustainability Officer, said in 2018:
“We have achieved a good level of success so far, but the drive for 2018 is really to lead by example. We see and hear dozens of sailing events and teams preaching the same message, which is great, but our objective is to have grassroots sailors, Olympic sailors, round the world sailors, identifying with our approach and for the 52 SUPER SERIES, in partnership with 11th Hour Racing, to be setting the benchmarks, which will change the way people think. Yes, awareness is growing, but I think we can show pragmatic steps and initiatives that can be applied by sailing clubs and events all around the world. Together we can make the difference we need to.”
2020 52 Super Series calendar:
Cape Town: February 29-March 6
Cape Town: March 30-April 4
Scarlino: May 11-16
Porto Cervo: June 16-21
Valencia: July 17-22
Puerto Portals: September 14-19
Additional reporting from African News Agency (ANA)
