Solo sailors in Cape Town

Here at the waterfront Cape Town, it's all about the singlehanders. A pack of them are in town, vying for various records and refitting and reprovisioning for the next leg. The two youngest duke it out for the "youngest circumnavigator" title. Zac, who we met in Durban, is sailing in a laid back SoCal style family run effort.



Mike, sailing the racing machine “Totally Money.Com,” has the support (and pressure) of a corporate campaign effort behind him.







Mike versus Zac is a classic tortoise/hare race – will the weather hold for Mike's route, and will his speedster stay in one piece long enough to win, or will Zac slowly pull ahead with shorter pit stops despite a longer route and slower boat?

Saito, has no competition is his bid to be the oldest circumnavigator at 75 years old. This is his eighth trip around. He's even done a solo non-stop! His “fish boat tough” steel cutter is as different as can be from Mike's light flyer.





In the middle, age wise, is this boat from the Azores, heading out on the last leg of his second solo trip around. We first met Genuino of Hemingway at Mauritius.



Of course, there is a Polish woman solo sailor here, Natasza, who is in competition with the other Polish woman, Marta. Marta, if you remember from an earlier blog, is the singlehander who was rescued in the surf near Port Elizabeth with a surprise guest on board. Marta elected to sail back to Durban, where the guest had joined her, and retrace her route south, this time actually alone. Sort of a “do – over.” Natasza understandably disapproves of the whole thing.

While Ginger was away visiting Seattle, Peter felt like a solo sailor. He worked on “the list” of repairs and modifications. After being alone for ages (actually less than two weeks) he met Ginger at the airport. In the luggage were good boat parts – including the boxes to set up an AIS system. When we depart South Africa, we will cross waters crowded with commercial shipping, and it will be good to automatically receive position and speed information for these ships.



Our old camera was malfunctioning and made Ginger's trip to Seattle look like one wild party after another.



but the rare city snow and glimpses of Mount Rainier are icons from Seattle that even the spare camera couldn't ruin.





Ginger was glad to be back home ..



Our new “tinnie” needed bailing, so Ginger went straight to work.



Also recently arrived are Americans Stephen and Kathleen on Tawodi. They are making a fast dash around the world east bound. After losing a sea anchor and suffering some damage on the approach to Africa, they have much respect (like us) for the amazing chaotic sea state generated in this part of the world.





Marcy had to leave the Royal Cape – things are hectic with visiting yachts and marina modifications. We found a very temporary spot nearby in a quiet cove, but it is clear that we need to make Marcy seaworthy and head out of town soon.