Cape Town - The Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC) officially opened the sailing season with its annual opening cruise at the V&A Waterfront to signify the start of a number of iconic races and cruises taking place in Cape Town this summer – a jam-packed season was expected.
Royal Cape Yacht Club commodore Neil Gregory said the sailing season this year was particularly busy with two major events, starting with the Cape Town to St Helena race on December 29, and the Cape to Rio Race on January 2 – its 50th anniversary – while this weekend the popular Harken Round Robben Island yacht race was taking place.
Gregory said the highlight of the opening of the sailing season had to be the partnership between Alexforbes ArchAngel and the RCYC sailing academy, where six young and previously disadvantaged sailors who were trained at the academy will be participating in the Cape to Rio yacht race.
The sailors from Alexforbes ArchAngel hailed from Masiphumelele, Khayelitsha, Grassy Park and Athlone in Cape Town, and were trained by the RCYC Sailing Academy.
The academy was formed to create opportunities for previously disadvantaged youth in the sailing sector.
Economic growth Mayco member James Vos said the coastline around the metro contributed almost R40 billion, or 10%, to the City’s GDP per annum, all through retail, marine manufacturing and boat building, and fishing.
“As such, it is important to note that Cape Town will next week officially open the 2022/2023 cruise season when we welcome the first cruise ship, the Hanseatic Spirit, to the world-class cruise terminal at the V&A Waterfront.”
Vos said they were expecting a further five cruise ships in addition to the 104 already booked to dock in Cape Town, with almost R100 million in total estimated passenger spend per port visit.