Pure Adrenaline in Heineken Cape to Bahia Race

by Peridot/Ronelda Visser on 11 Jan 2006 The Brazilian catamaran Adrenalina Pura had another scorcher of a day in the Heineken Cape to Bahia yacht race covering close to 300 nautical miles at an average boat speed of 12.45 knots.

Adrenalina Pura seems to be headed due west and managing to sail over the top of the notorious South Atlantic high pressure system. With only 1400 miles still to go to her home port of Salvador, it becomes more likely that the current multi-hull crossing will be shattered by several days.

George Ehrensperger and his crew set the record of 15 days 8 hours 44 minutes and 33 seconds in the 2003 Cape to Rio, which was widely considered a fairly slow race. With the shorter route to Salvadar, capital of the state of Bahia in Brazil, race organisers were fairly confident that the record will be bettered. Before the start of the race, Ehrensperger predicted that they should be able to shave at least a day off the existing record in the forecast weather conditions. If Ehrensperger and his highly experienced crew of Claudio Bieikarck, Alex Welter, Donald Wright, Chris Tibbs and Gustavo Pacheco maintain their current blistering boat speeds, a new crossing record of 11 days is definitely on the cards.

Ehrensperger regularly sailed with Brasilian crack yachtsman Torben Grail, the most successful Olympic sailor of all times, on the MUMM 36 circuit in Europe and the States in the mid-1990’s. He was also instrumental in the dynamic and exciting route change for the historic South Atlantic Race, which will be finishing in the spectacular city of Salvador, Bahia for the first time since its inception in 1971.

Although Gawie Fagan on Suidoos 2 did not report his position today, an estimated distance of 175 miles keeps him in the handicap lead over Rob Meek’s Windsong in second and John Martin on MTU Fascination of Power. Auto Atlantic Thunderchild is in fourth position with Mike Bartolomew’s Gilly B in fifth place.

Both double-handed entry Devonvale Broadreach (JJ Provoyeur/Anthony Spillebeen) and Polo Sport Gumption, skippered by Gauteng businessman Nicholas Mace, have veered sharply north and although this have resulted in slower speeds, the next report will show if this tactical gamble has paid off.

According to an early morning e-mail from Spillebeen, the move has already paid dividends. 'We know the competition is to the north – now it’s hunting season. We started gibing north and slowly began to build speed. The plan was to stay north until a big header or shift came along. The shift came violently early this morning and voila, we’re pointing back to Bahia. We’ve also settled into our game plan of both being on deck in the wee hours. Life on board is great, eating well, although not quite following the menu plan. Bit of improvisation as we go along. As Napoleon said: 'A good army marches on its stomach.' I think Taberley also preached this rule,' reported Spillebeen.

Event website: http://www.heinekencapetobahia.co.za