Day 12 – Nail-biting

 

The thing about Ocean Racing (as opposed to in shore or even inland racing), is that not everyone has the same wind. This is even more pronounced when there is a handicap system in place, where (for example), we, on our aging 35ft traditional glass fibre boat, race against (for example again) Maserati, about twice as long, with three times the beam, with more carbon than in a coal mine. So, while they are in Rio, we are still negotiating our way around the South Atlantic high. Said differently, we are now where they were 6 days ago. And lots can change in six days......

On the other hand, once they are in Rio, their race is run, and their die is cast. (I hope that it is that die and not the other dye – says he fearfully watching for Mrs Stiq reading over his shoulder.) Their cards are on the table, while we wait for more cards to be dealt. Their goose is cooked while ours is still defrosting. (I hope you are getting the picture clearly – because I am out of cheesy comparisons.)

And what is at stake? Nothing really, (says he lying through his teeth). Just look behind us. Cousin Bradley and the Wits team would dearly love to put one over us. Can you imagine the ill concealed smug looks we would have to suffer for the next however long it takes for them to get over themselves? And then there is the “non – competitive” Oom Gerrie on Stop Rhino Poaching (or Kyk Na Jou Eie Horing Boet). He is a man of few words, but also a Vaal Dam sailor that we will run into often in the future. He will not say a word, but give us that friendly knowing smile that just says “suck it up Engelsman!”

 

And all the Class 2 boats, being led by Yolo – skippered by Dale, Commodore of the other Royal club represented in the race. Lots of Royal honour at stake there. And that thoroughly eccentric but eminently likeable Aussie John on Perie Banou Rolly Tasker. He would have a word to say – though we would have a job understanding him – Australian is not quite English. And Vulcan, filled with Holiday 23 sailors, led by Coenie Thiaart. Just could not cope with being beaten by them. And all those Cats!

 

And in front of us? Well there is Maserati. Enough said. They have just finished an excellently executed race. Well done on their Line Honours achievement. It will take us a while to work out just when we have to finish to beat them – but our chances are slim, for sure. However, we have heard that there are two Monacan princes on board, and would like to get there just before they leave Rio, so we could organise a date for Kax. Just a date, you understand. No Lobola negotiations – yet.

And the other Aussies on Scarlet Runner. Beating an Aussie at anything at any time gives great pleasure. Second only to beating a New Zealander. The two cool dudes on Privateer are our personal favourites for a win. The concept of two brothers sailing together is one that we can support. Apart from that, they have also chosen the high road to Rio, so we have a vested interest in their success. But, because they are from Cape Town, it would be cool to hang their scalps from our bridle.......

Iskareen, with the Eurokids and Phillippa would be cool to beat, but we are still eating apples supplied by Phillipa’s Mum, so I don’t know if there is that much malice in the challenge. But the one that we would dearly like to claim bragging rights over must be Explora. A boat loaded with carbon and Capies in equal proportions. A longstanding inter-club rivalry between Phillip Lamprecht and Boskop with some scores yet unsettled. But mostly, the guys who chose a diametrically opposite (extreme Southern) strategy to ours, for dealing with the high.

(Just as an irrelevant aside - I was sitting with the passport lady when the Explora guys were handing in their passports to be stamped. I asked her how she could tell the difference between all the bald blonde guys on the boat. She shook her head and uttered the immortal words: “They all look the same to me!”)

In fact, the purpose of this entry is to acknowledge all those who are sailing against us. Thank them for the effort that has gone into their campaigns, and compliment them on their skills and the fortitude that they have displayed. The biggest compliment that we could pay them is to sail our hearts out, to beat them.

And that is just what we are doing.