Cape to Rio 1971

The first race attracted an amazing international entry of 69 boats, whose skippers included Robin Knox-Johnston, Eric Tabarly, Kees Bruynzeel, and Lt.Cdr. Maximo Reveiro Kelly on the fleet that left Table Bay on January, 16, 1971. Line honours went to the British 21.6m ketch Ocean Spirit, co-skippered by Knox-Johnston and Leslie Williams after a crossing of 23 days and 42 minutes. The main trophy of the race, the South Atlantic Trophy, for the handicap win, went to the 12.8m sloop Albatross II, built in Knysna and skippered by John Goodwin, which made the crossing in 26 days and 14 hours. Voortrekker was also in the race, skippered by Cdr. A Thomas.

Cape to Rio 1971 Article in The Cape Western Scouter May 1971 and Cape Times 1 April 1971