South African Cape 31 class 'Summer in the South' 2024/25 - Preview
by Tor Tomlinson Cheney 1 May 2024 18:32 BST
South African Cape 31 class © Matt Du Toit
Following the success of the 2023/24 Summer in the South series with the seven local Cape 31 teams being joined by three new boat owners, the excitement is building as the class announce that the Summer in the South Cape 31 Series returns to Cape Town. With a thrilling lineup of events set to captivate sailing enthusiasts, the series promises exhilarating competition and unforgettable moments on the water.
The series kicks off with Round 1, the Cape Performance Cup, scheduled to take place on November 30th to December 1st, 2024. This opening event sets the stage for an as competitors vie for top honors in the picturesque Cape Town waters.
Next up is Round 2, the Tip of Africa Cup, slated for December 6th to 8th, 2024. As sailors navigate the challenging waters around the southernmost tip of Africa, spectators can expect nail-biting action and breathtaking displays of skill against the stunning backdrop of the Cape coastline.
The excitement continues with Round 3, the V&A Waterfront Event, scheduled for February 21st to 23rd, 2025. Against the iconic backdrop of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, teams will battle it out for supremacy in what promises to be a showcase of sailing excellence and camaraderie.
Rounding off the series is Round 4, featuring the Mykonos Offshore (65-mile Downwinder) and the Saturday Bay Race, set to take place on February 28th to March 1st, 2025. With its unique combination of offshore challenges and exhilarating coastal racing, this event offers a fitting conclusion to an action-packed series.
"We are thrilled to announce the return of the Summer in the South Cape 31 Series to Cape Town," said Hylton Hale, one of the masterminds behind the Cape 31. "With an exciting lineup of events showcasing the best of sailing in one of the world's most iconic locations, where the Cape 31's were built for, we invite sailing enthusiasts and spectators alike to join us for what promises to be an unforgettable summer of competition and camaraderie."
Interested in a build slot for a new Cape 31? Get your new boat primed for competition by commissioning it to race in South Africa before transporting it northward for the 2025 Summer season.
In the 2023/24 season, three pioneering teams opted to commission their boats in South Africa during the "winter," strategically positioning themselves for participation in the Summer in the South Series. This decision not only offered a thrilling opportunity to compete in a fresh locale but also provided the added benefit of "winter" sailing under the African sun.
Spectators and participants can look forward to experiencing the thrill of world-class sailing against the backdrop of Cape Town's breathtaking scenery. For more information and updates on the series, visit www.cape31class.com
Full Calendar:
- Round 1 Cape Performance Cup / 30th November - 1st December 2024
- Round 2 Tip of Africa Cup / 6th-8th December 2024
- Round 3 V&A Waterfront Event / 21st-23rd February 2025
- Round 4 Mykonos Offshore (65 mile Downwinder) and Saturday Bay Race / 28th February - 1st March 2025