LATEST POSITIONS
31 January 2003 - 11.00 am (S. Afr Time)

The welcoming committee at Rio yacht club had a long wait for the 4th yacht in the SAP Cape to Rio 2003 to cross the finish line. Suidoos II made the crossing in 26 days 18 hours and 5 minutes.
The Australian pocket maxi, Helsal II is expected to finish before lunch Friday afternoon (Rio time).

Neither age and money nor the size of your boat and number of crew matter when it comes to making a successful ocean crossing!

77 year-old Gawie Fagan and his three, young crew onboard the 30-foot Suidoos II arrived in Rio de Janeiro at 5 past eight GMT Thursday night after more than 26 days at sea in the SAP Cape to Rio 2003. After having been becalmed outside Rio for more than a day, they were extremely happy to be on terra firma.

Fagan, architect by trade, was very complimentary of his crew and said that he was looking forward to spending time in the Carnival City. He was last in Rio 27 years previously, and is keen to she how much the city has changed in that time.

Helsal II is expected in late morning Friday with Thunderchild and Daly’s insurance only 25 miles out. Thunderchild and Daly’s are only expected to finish this classic blue water race on Saturday as winds are light and they report boat speed on 1 knott.

The crews further out are reporting wind and have yet to experience the frustrations of the windless conditions off the coats of Rio.

Source: SAP Cape To Rio Race - Official Site