Team Mowgli sails into Cape Town under full sail
By Brian Hancock: The British yacht, Team Mowgli, co-skippered by Jeremy Salvesen and David Thomson, finished Leg 1 of the Portimão Global Ocean Race as a stiff southeasterly wind had them scrambling to reduce sail the last mile into Cape Town. After a terrific morning under clear skies and with a Code 5 spinnaker set, the duo ran out of wind in the lee of Table Mountain. Flopping around on a glassy sea Salvesen and Thomson were able to savour the spectacular scenery and relish their accomplishment. “What’s with this no wind?” Jeremy yelled across the water. Moments later the southeasterly kicked in and Team Mowgli took off, charging across the line with the rail buried and grins the size Table Mountain plastered in the faces of the two sailors. Team Mowgli crossed the line at 09:22:45 UTC, 11:22:45 local time in South Africa.
It had been an eventful race for the two sailors. Salvesen, who had not stepped on a boat a few short years ago was thrilled with the sailing and awed by their arrival in Cape Town. “This has been an extraordinary experience for both David and myself,” he said. “It has far exceeded anything I ever thought it would be. I am new to sailing. Now I am racing around the world in a superb yacht race enjoying some amazingly close racing. What else can I say, I am just so please to be here in Cape Town.” Full race report...
