Entries for the Vasco da Gama Ocean Race close

ENTRIES for the 2025 Vasco da Gama Ocean Race from Durban to East London close this weekend. The annual event is one of the highlights on South Africa’s yachting calendar and attracts sailors from across the country and even abroad. 

The prestigious event is hosted by the Durban-based Royal Natal Yacht Club (RNYC) and this year marks the 52nd anniversary of the Vasco, the oldest coastal ocean race on the South African sailing calendar.

Barry Boorman the Commodore at the RNYC says there are several sailors who have indicated that they will participate but still need to submit their formal applications while others have fallen by the wayside for various reasons. 

“Some of the boats that we were really hoping would be taking part have failed. We have engine problems. We had a skipper message us that he's had an accident and he's not able to sail. One of the nice things is we've got some boats coming up from Cape Town, which we haven't had in quite some time. We're also hoping that Richard's Bay might turn around and say, yes, we'll send two boats down.” 

Boorman said often sailors would wait until the last minute to submit their applications: “A lot of them are naughty because they don't want anyone to know, and then they put it in at the last minute like it'll be a big surprise.”

This year multiple sponsors have come on board for South Africa’s most prestigious race. However, Boorman says it's not all about winning. “It's all about pride. It's all about saying ‘I did the Vasco’ first of all, that's the most important thing. And then, ‘I participated in the Vasco and I finished’.” 

Last year 15-year old Michaela Barrett was the youngest participant in the Vasco and is most likely to participate again, said Boorman. 

CFM took line honours in the 2024 race and would participate again this year. Bellatrix also did well and took handicap honours in that race, said Boorman. 

“Both are incredibly fast boats and really well maintained boats, but just because there's a slight difference in handicap and they were so close together, one got line honours, one got the handicap honours.” 

All participants set sail from Durban on Sunday 25 May, and are expected to start arriving in East London late on Monday as well as Tuesday where they will be welcomed by the receiving club, Buffalo River Yacht Club. Boorman says it takes about 36 hours for the first vessel to arrive at the end of the race.