Youngest Cape2Rio crew have high hopes as 2023 race starts

Alexforbes ArchAngel departs Cape Town racing in the 2023 Cape2Rio Yacht Race © Cape2Rio Race

Cape2Rio Race ©Cape2Rio

The Cape2Rio 2023 start gun has been fired, and the Alexforbes ArchAngel, with the youngest average crew in the race - and the first complete crew trained by the Royal Cape Yacht Club Sailing Academy - has departed our shores.

Skipper Sibusiso Sizatu (30), first mate Daniel Agulhas (29), Renaldo Tshepo Mohale (29), Azile Arosi (22) and Justin Peters (21) had their dreams of sailing the iconic race come true when Alexforbes stepped forward to sponsor their effort. The sailors, hailing from Masiphumelele, Khayelitsha, Grassy Park and Athlone, respectfully, in Cape Town are race-ready and hungry for victory, with fridges and bags packed for the three-week journey.

"It's the day we have all been waiting for - the most exciting moment of my life," said Alexforbes ArchAngel skipper Sizatu. He said challenges were expected in the form of high swells from the south easterly wind during the first three days of the race, as well as strong currents as they neared Rio. "Our game plan is to stay more south on the Atlantic, closer to the coast to keep the wind with us. After Namibia we sail in and go as close as St Helena, before changing course to stick with the winds," Sizatu said.

No outside assistance or information that could assist the team in winning, is permitted. "We only have a tracker so we will know where we are in the race." Sizatu said the team had taken a few days break from each other, ahead of spending three weeks in close quarters on their 12m boat.

Crew of the Alexforbes ArchAngel depart Cape Town in their history making bid to win the 2023 Cape2Rio Yacht Race - photo © Cape2Rio Race

Sixteen boats are competing for top honours in this year's race, to see who can sail 3 300 nautical miles to Rio in the shortest possible time. "Two are multihulls which are racing against each other, and the remaining 14, including Alexforbes' ArchAngel, are monohulls which are competing against each other in a handicap system," said Jennifer Burger, Cape2Rio Race Administrator. "On the water, they are in their own isolated world where all they have to worry about is their boat, the weather and themselves. I have a strong feeling that the Alexforbes ArchAngel will do well as they are excellent sailors; their boat is ready and they are motivated to act as examples to others from their communities." Burger said challenges the crew would face were the heat and lack of wind later on, and, at times, sheer boredom.

In wishing the team well in their quest for success in the race, Viresh Maharaj, Alexforbes Executive: Strategy and Customer Experience, said Alexforbes identifies with their pioneering spirit of determination to triumph over obstacles and challenging backgrounds.

He concludes: "Their grit has embodied their personal journeys towards to starting line, which have been more difficult than the one from Cape Town to Rio. You don't have to be a sailor to connect with the symbol that these young people provide to us and we wish them all of the best in their race."

Supporters can follow the team on the live tracker at cape2rio.live.