We are a team of six University of Cape Town students taking on the challenge of racing across the Atlantic Ocean on the 1st of January 2017, in the iconic Cape to Rio Yacht Race. Not only are we taking on the physical and emotional challenge of the race but we aim to contribute valuable scientific data and raise funds for youth development sailing in South Africa. Support us and help make this dream a reality!
On the 1st of January 2017, the 44th edition of the iconic Cape to Rio Yacht Race will begin in the waters of Table Bay, Cape Town. Teams will race approximately 4 000 nautical miles, chasing the sunsets across the Atlantic Ocean, to the finish line in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Encountering the joys and challenges of offshore racing, the camaraderie of team work and the isolation of a vast, open ocean, the experience will shape the lives of the young sailors brave enough to attempt the race.
The University of Cape TownYacht Club is an active andintegral part of the sailingcommunity in South Africa. Wellknown for our enthusiasm anddedication to the sport, our clubprovides a platform for novice and experienced sailors alike to come togetherand compete at the highest level. We will be the first UCTYC entry in the Capeto Rio Yacht Race since 1996 and in addition to the extreme physical challenge,we aim to use our resources to contribute valuable data to the global scientificcommunity and have committed to “Racing for Research.” As a team we have also pledged to donate a percentage of the money we raise to the Izivunguvungu MSC Foundation for Youth Sailing Project for the development of previously disadvantaged youth in sailing. Webelieve thatthrough wholehearted preparation and training, along with the support of sponsors, we have the resources and commitment to become the first everstudent entry to win!
Sailing is a way of life and a platform for individual growth and development.Sailing provides an environment where life lessons are learnt, friendships arecreated and skills such as decision making and responsibility are developed.As students at the University of Cape Town we are aware of the need forguidance and direction in the younger generation of our country. Through ourcampaign we would like to raise awareness and funds for development sailingin South Africa by specifically supporting the Izivunguvungu MSC Foundationfor Youth Sailing Project. We aim to help make sailing more accessible topreviously disadvantaged communities and use sailing and the love for sportas a tool to transcend social barriers.
The Izivunguvungu Sailing Project wasestablished in 2001 and works to takechildren off the streets and create ahealthy environment to enjoy the sportof sailing and develop valuable skills.This project introduces previouslydisadvantaged children to the sport ofsailing and since it’s establishment,has grown to allow their sailors tocompete at the highest national levels.
Asenathi Jim, South African 470 Olympian helm, is aproduct of this sailing program. Asenathi has recentlyreturned from the Olympic Games in Rio and endorsesthe UCT to Rio 2017 campaign and their support for theIzivunguvungu Sailing Project.
Above the physical, emotional and personalchallenge of sailing from crossing the Atlanticfrom Cape Town to Rio, the the UCT team will be”Racing for Research.” The team aims to take thisopportunity to contribute valuable data to theglobal scientific community. The team will beworking under the guidance of the South AfricanWeather Service (SAWS) in order to be part ofthe Data Buoy Co- operation Panel (DBCP) and deploy three sea surface driftersduring the crossing. These instrumentsmeasure sea surface temperature, sealevel pressure as well as provideimportant information on ocean currents,and therefore ultimately providing valuabledata for future scientific work.
Additionally, the team will be contributingmeteorological observation data to the VoluntaryObserving Ship (VOS) Climate Fleet. This programmehas been running since 1984 and data collected allowsfor a greater understanding of the role of oceans in theglobal climate system.
Fully endorsed by the UCT Department of Oceanography, on their return, the team will host information sharingevents regarding their observations as well as providemore information on the the international databases towhich they will contribute. It is the hope that the datacollected can educationally benefit not only students atUCT, but all over the world.
Matt Whitehead (22) – Skipper
Peter Marsh (20) – Research Specialist
Mikhayla Bader (22) – Campaign Manager
Heidi Burger (21) – Navigator
Murray Willcocks (21) – Engineer
Alex Lehtinen (21) – Crew Boss
Preparation of the highest standard: Preparation of our boat, our team and our campaign as a whole will be done tothe highest standards.
People as our most enduring advantage: We will be building our campaign around the stories of our team members andthe lives of the people we hope to positively influence.
Sport as an effective tool to build a better South Africa: Sport has always been an effective tool in South Africa and we will be usingsailing as a platform for integration and community development throughout ourcampaign. We hope to inspire and encourage our fellow South Africans to unitethrough the love of the sport as well as expose the sport to more people.
A community initiative: Throughout our campaign, we aim to involve all members of the UCT Yacht Clubas well as our fellows UCT Students. By doing so we aim to introduce morepeople the sport of sailing as well as promote the idea that we are capable ofanything through hard work and with passion.
Promoting gender diversity: We will be a mixed gender team which empowers women in a generally maledominated sport.
Passion as a driving force: Every aspect of this campaign will be filled with a contagious passion!
Budget
In order to make this dream a reality we are aiming to raise R700 000. This will be accomplished either through a title sponsor or multiple,tiered sponsorships. We are available to discuss individual beneficialsponsorship options.
Matt Whitehead (22) – Skipper
BSc Property Studies
8 000 nm offshore experience
Qualified RYA Yacht Master Offshore
Hobie Dragoon World Champion (2008)
Red Bull Youth America’s Cup South African Team skipper and helmsman (2013)
Two Rolex Cup seasons onboard Swan 53, Music (2012,2013)
Awarded Protea Colours for sailing (2005, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11)
IRC Season on Corby 49, Nitro (2014, 2015, 2016)
Keelboat Portfolio Head for UCT Yacht Club (2015)
Peter Marsh (20) – Research Specialist
BSc Oceanography and Geology
1000 nm offshore experience
Lipton Challenge Cup Campaign (2016)
SAMSA Radio License SACS Rowing Captain (2014)
SA Colours for Rowing (2014)
UCT Rowing Club Men’s Captain (2016)
RMB Boat Race UCT Men’s Captain (2016)
Mikhayla Bader (22) – Campaign Manager
BCom Management Studies (EGS and Marketing)
1 500nm offshore experience
Part of the Mike Horn Young Explorers Program for 9th expedition, sailing in Nunavut, Canadian Arctic (2011)
Head Girl of St. Mary’s DSG (2012)
IRC Season on Corby 49, Nitro (2014, 2015, 2016)
Lipton Challenge Cup Campaigns (2014, 2015, 2016)
Vice-Commodore of UCT Yacht Club (2015, 2016)
UCT Student Sport Union Executive Committee (2016)
Chairperson of University Sport of South Africa Yachting (2016)
UCT Student Representative Council Sport Sub-Committee secretary (2016)
Heidi Burger (21) – Navigator
BSc Mechanical Engineering
3300 nm offshore experience
Qualified South African Sailing Coastal Skipper Represented South Africa in Optimist African Championships (2008, 2009)
Represented South Africa in ISAF Youth World Championships in a 420 (2010, 2011)
Skipper of Lipton Challenge Cup campaigns (2010 – 2016) including skipper and campaign manager of all girls Team Tiletoria Campaign (2015, 2016)
Dinghy Sailing Portfolio Head for UCT Yacht Club (2014, 2015) and treasurer for UCT Yacht Club (2016)
University of Cape Town Dean’s Merit List (2012 – 2015)
Class medal for Design 1 (2014) and Product Design (2016)
Murray Willcocks (21) – Engineer
BSc Mechanical Engineering
1200 nm offshore experience
Qualified South African Sailing Day Skipper Optimist Worlds in Turkey (2010)
Awarded Protea colours for sailing (2010)
Lipton Challenge Cup (2010 – 2014)
Commodore of DCYC (2013)
Kitesurfing Portfolio Head for UCT Yacht Club (2016)
University of Cape Town Dean’s Merit List (2014, 2015)
Alex Lehtinen (21) – Crew Boss
BSc Mechanical Engineering
5000 nm offshore experience
Qualified South African Sailing Day Skipper
Silver medallist Optimist African Champs (2009)
Awarded Protea colours for sailing (2012)
Year service as Reserve Officer in Finnish Navy (2013)
Watch captain on IMOCA 60, Trans-Atlantic delivery (2014)
Windsurfing Portfolio Head for UCT Yacht Club (2016)