Tokoloshe Triumph in the Tip of Africa Trophy after TnT Tussle
by Cape 31 Class, Tor Cheney 6 Dec 2023 20:05 NZDT
1-3 December 2023
Ten teams from four different nations came together for the first official event of the Summer in the South Series. Nine exciting races spanned three days in Table Bay.
The Royal Cape Yacht Club took the fleet for an exhilarating first day of racing in Granger Bay saw the Austrian team Stella Maris clinch victories in races 1 and 3, while the British/South African team Tokoloshe claimed race 2. Nitro, Nemesis, and TnT also had their turn on the podium—making it a fantastic day of racing in a gentle westerly breeze.
Day 2 brought similar conditions with three races and four starts, including a general recall in Race 2. Tokoloshe and TnT secured victories, with Scorpio and the new team, Hungarian Black Battalion rounding off the podium. Eyes were vigilant to spot and avoid seals, dolphins, penguins, and a number of sunfish cruising around the race course!
Davey James, Cape 31 Boat Builder and owner of Scorpio, "Awesome to see the Cape Town fleet with 10 boats, three international teams and having the most awesome sailing. We're now really looking to our three more events in February."
Heading into the final day of the Tip of Africa Regatta, several teams had the potential to make it to the podium due to there being alot of big discards around. Races 7,8 and 9 took place in the Milnerton race area. With race wins from Tokoloshe and Stella Maris, Tokoloshe and TnT secured the top of the podium going into the final race. At the start of the final race, it seemed like TnT could be coming away with the win, but Tokoloshe climbed back from deeper in the fleet to secure a second-place finish and the overall victory in the first event of the Summer in the South Series. TnT took second place, and Scorpio claimed third.
Tony Norris, TnT said, "The conditions were real good and it was cool to be racing the 31 again."
TnT (Tina Plattner and Tony Norris) kindly sponsored the event and organised for the fleet to be moored all together in the V&A Marina with a great race village with music, coffee van, complimentary post racing meal for all sailors, breakfast available and ample seating. Each day had sponsored drinks after racing thanks to North Sails, Ulman and Harken. The local South African teams were very welcoming to the foreign teams and everyone is very excited for more racing in February!
The Cape 31 Class Tip of Africa Regatta was a great success, and it's exciting to see the enthusiasm and anticipation for more racing in the Summer in the South Series. The combination of competitive sailing, beautiful surroundings, and a welcoming community undoubtedly made it a memorable event for all participants.
The rest of the Summer in the South Series will take place in February with charter and new boat opportunities available for more teams to come racing where these boats are made for! Calendar here.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat Name | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Tokoloshe LXIX | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | ‑7 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 18 |
| 2 | TNT | ‑6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 19 |
| 3 | Scorpio | 7 | 4 | ‑9 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 33 |
| 4 | Nitro | 3 | 5 | ‑7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 38 |
| 5 | Stella Maris | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 1 | (DNF) | 41 |
| 6 | Nemesis | 4 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 9 | (UFD) | 4 | 41 |
| 7 | Black Battalion | 5 | ‑10 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 46 |
| 8 | Vulcan | 8 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 5 | (UFD) | 8 | 46 |
| 9 | CuAI6 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 7 | (UFD) | 6 | 59 |
| 10 | MB | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 6 | (DNS) | 7 | 9 | 68 |