Two new entries for Cape To Rio 2023, by Liesl King
With nine months to the start of the 2023 Cape to Rio race, the entries are starting to mount up. Two more entries were recently received, taking the total to 12 so far. The race organisers confirmed that there are still a number of boats who are finalising plans and possible entries.
The first new entry is Faros, a 43’ Dudley Dix, that will be skippered by Alex Mamacos. Lexi is well known to RCYC members as one of the sailing instructors at the Good Hope Sailing Academy. She was also instrumental in getting the first group of black Academy instructors through their skippers and instructor courses. Her introduction to the ocean started with a holiday house on Langebaan lagoon. “We had a tender called The Pram, that had a mast, a dagger board and a rudder. It went sideways more than it went forward, but I had a lot of fun fooling around on it and that’s how I learnt to sail.”
Lexi holds a SAS Yachtmaster Offshore as well as a SAMSA Commercial skippers license and comes with a wealth of offshore sailing. She has sailed double-handed from Cape Town to Reunion on a Gib’sea 44 and she is no stranger to the Cape to Rio race. Lexi crewed on Windgat in the 2014 edition and was part of the delivery team that brought Northern Light back after the 2020 race. The 2023 race will be her first as skipper.
She has been dreaming about doing the Cape2Rio race on her own boat for many years and in reality, has been prepping for about five years in anticipation of doing the Cape to Rio 2023. Her dreams actually stretch far beyond Rio though. Lexi will be using the race as a launching pad to continue cruising afterwards. With the start still nine months away, she is well aware that things can still change and hence she has a pool of crew available from which the final four will be selected closer to race time.
The second new entry is White Mischief, a Sovereign 51, which will be skippered by Richard Wiederhold, a previous winner of the Cape to Rio. He will be share the skippering duties with Bernard Haupt and Glen Landridge. Crew members will include Richard’s 18-year-old son Alex, who has junior provincial sailing colours, another championship sailor with provincial colours, Greg Plunkett, along with Donovan Penaluna and Cherene Nel. White Mischief is currently based at the Royal Cape Yacht Club.
When interviewed by the Race Organisation, Richard explained his motivation for doing the C2R2023:
“I started sailing with my dad, at age six and the sport has become a lifelong passion. I have sailed over 15 Lipton Cup Challenges and will be taking part in the J22 World Championships in July this year in Durban with Greg Plunkett.
“I’ve sailed the Cape to Rio twice before, once with my father in 2000, and in 1996, when I was on the winning boat, Renfreight. It is a once in a lifetime experience and I want to share it with my son Alex, for many different reasons. Not only to forge a stronger lifetime bond, but also to give the gift of a transatlantic crossing, which will give him an underlying confidence and the ability to dig deep, something that few other sports in this world can offer.
“I’m really excited to take on this challenge, especially with my son, my best friend, girlfriend, cousin and two great friends. It’s rare to get to spend three weeks with your favourite people crossing the Atlantic Ocean while racing your heart out and having the time of your life!”
Faros and White Mischief we look forward to seeing you and your crews on the start line!
