Countdown to Cape Town

The countdown has already started to a host of exciting events in South Africa now that Race 2 is underway: the Stormhoek Race to the Cape of Storms from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town.

While the crew has the small matter of almost 4,000 nautical miles of South Atlantic Ocean racing to contend with, the rewards will be great upon arrival into Cape Town where our Official Wine Partner and Race 2 Sponsor, Stormhoek Wines, is ready and waiting to toast their success.

Host marina the V&A Waterfront and ‘home’ Team Sponsor IchorCoal and Team Partner the Sapinda Rainbow Foundation all aim to make this a very memorable stopover.

Based in the famous Western Cape, South African company Stormhoek Wines is heavily involved in the Cape Town stopover and is encouraging crew and supporters to celebrate the social spirit and team work that makes the Clipper Race so unique. From magnums of bubbly for the winning teams at the Official Prize-giving to flowing wine at the Crew Party and other partner events, the name of Stormhoek Wines will be on everyone’s lips.

Already the Stormhoek Social Spirit Award won by IchorCoal for Race 1 has proven to be a huge success in bringing Clipper Race crew and supporters together. The nomination window for the team showing the greatest social spirit in Race 2 will open on 14 October (one week before the arrival window starts for Cape Town). Follow StormhoekWines on Facebook to make sure you don’t miss the chance to nominate your team for the award, or any other events and offers it has planned.

Every edition of the Clipper Race has visited South Africa since its inception in 1996 and when the fleet arrives into Cape Town for the seventh time, it will be berthed at the Victoria& Alfred Waterfront. Situated at the foot of Table Mountain and in the heart of Cape Town's working harbour, the V&A Waterfront offers an abundance of unforgettable experiences for the Clipper Race crew and supporters. Indoor shopping and entertainment venues seamlessly merge with ocean vistas and mountain views and the fresh sea breeze and warm African sun add zest to a cosmopolitan, vibrant atmosphere.

The timing could not be more perfect for the Clipper Race stopover because this year it will form part of the South African Ocean Festival. From extreme water polo to paddle boarding and on-the-water display shows, there are plenty of activities guaranteed to get visitors into the spirit of on-the-water adventure.

When the Race Village opens visitors will be able to get up close to the Clipper Race yachts to discover what life is like on board in one of the free open boat tours, running from 27-29 October, and also hear about the Clipper Race experience directly from the people who have taken part during Q&A sessions with our adventurous crew and race skippers.

And there is more…

Watch this space for exciting news about a major event being organised by the Sapinda Rainbow Foundation on 27 October. All will be revealed on the news page of the Clipper Race website later today.

The fleet is expected to arrive at Quay 6, Jetty 2 in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town between 21-25 October.

Details for all events in Cape Town can be found here.

Race 3 across the Southern Ocean to Albany, Western Australia will start from Cape Town on Saturday 31 October. Spectators can watch the twelve ocean racing yachts and support flotilla depart in a grand ceremonial parade against the spectacular backdrop of Table Mountain from mid-day. For Rugby World Cup fans there will be ample time to get back to shore to watch the final later that afternoon.