Six brave South Africans are about to complete one of the most gruelling ocean crossings on the planet as they sail towards Cape Town after battling massive swells and freezing conditions across more than 3 500 nautical miles of the South Atlantic.
The amateur sailors are part of the world-famous Clipper Race, where ordinary people with little to no sailing experience take on the challenge of racing around the globe in 70-foot yachts. The fleet are expected to arrive at the V&A Waterfront from today (4 November), with opportunities to meet the fleet and its race Crew on 11 and 12 November..
For 46-year-old Capetonian Marcus Dayton, it will be an emotional homecoming after spending more than 50 days at sea. The customer relations manager has sailed over 10 000 nautical miles since leaving Portsmouth, UK, in August.
“Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world,” said Dayton before departing from Uruguay. “My team arrived there in first place, and we plan on doing the same thing again.”
Dayton, who sails with Team London Business School, has experienced the thrill of hitting speeds of almost 25 knots while surfing down massive waves. “These boats are not cruising boats. You are continually fighting the boat, managing sail plans, trying to get the boat to sail as quickly as possible,” he explained.
The Capetonian already has plans to show his international teammates the best of his home city, including a hike up Table Mountain, wine tasting in Constantia Valley, and a visit to local brewery Aegir Project.
Novice tackles ocean crossing
Among the South African contingent is 28-year-old marine scientist Nina Faure Beaulieu from Cape Town, who stepped aboard her yacht in Uruguay as a complete sailing beginner. She’ll be sharing the incredible experience with her mother Nathalie, who is competing on the same team.
“I’m quite nervous. I think when I arrive and see Table Mountain, and feeling the accomplishment of an ocean crossing, it will just feel incredible,” said Nina before the race start.
The other South Africans making the journey home include 20-year-old student Samuel Fourie from Pretoria, who is attempting the full circumnavigation, and attorney Jakes van Strijp, 62, from Emelo, sailing alongside his daughter Babra Ann, 34, a business development manager from Sandton.
What to expect
Race Director Dale Smyth described this leg as “nothing short of phenomenal,” with teams experiencing relentless waves and cold, fast conditions as they surf towards Africa.
The South Atlantic crossing is considered one of the most challenging legs of the race, with big swells and trade winds that can push the boats to speeds exceeding 20 knots as they ride down massive waves.
Capetonians will have the chance to meet the fleet and race crew on 11 and 12 November at the V&A Waterfront, where the boats will be docked for several days before continuing their round-the-world journey.
READ MORE: Cape Town skipper becomes first South African to win World Yacht Race
About the Clipper Race
The Clipper Race is one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges, seeing teams of amateur sailors battle extreme conditions while racing more than 40 000 nautical miles around the globe. Most participants have no prior sailing experience and undergo intensive training before taking on conditions ranging from freezing temperatures and 40-foot waves to blistering tropical heat.
The 2025-26 edition will visit 11 countries across eight legs, with Cape Town serving as the third stop after Spain and Uruguay. The race continues to Australia, the Philippines, China, Korea, and the USA before returning to the UK next summer.
Sailing fans can follow the action live on the Clipper Race website’s Live Race Tracker as the fleet makes its final approach to Cape Town.
On departure from Punta del Este, the standings were:
1 // GOSH // 30 points
2 // Scotland // 18 points
3 // London Business School // 17 points
4 // Power of Seattle Sports // 15 points
5 // Qingdao // 13 points
6 // Washington, DC // 12 points
7 // Tongyeong // 11 points
8 // Yacht Club Punta del Este // 8 points
9 // UNICEF // 5 points
10// Warrant // 3 points
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