The highly anticipated Cape2Rio 2025 Yacht Race was officially launched at the Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC), setting the stage for another thrilling edition of this iconic transatlantic sailing event.

Known for its gruelling 3,300-nautical-mile course from Table Bay, Cape Town, to Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Cape2Rio continues to attract top sailors from around the world, eager to test their endurance, skill, and ocean racing expertise.

Registration for the race is now open, with 11 teams already confirmed, including five entries from South America, out of an expected 30 competitors. Set to begin on 27 December 2025, the race can take up to a month to complete, testing sailors’ endurance and skill on the open ocean.

A celebration of sport, partnership, and sustainability

The launch event featured a keynote address by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who made reference to the solid relationship that Cape Town has with Brazil, cemented by the new direct flights South African Airways has to Sao Paulo from Cape Town. Previous Cape2Rio champion Adrian Kuttel, winner of the 2023 edition, shared his experience of taking victory in one of the world’s most prestigious yacht races.

A major highlight of the evening was the introduction of the event’s key sponsors:

• Alexforbes was unveiled as an official sponsor of Cape2Rio 2025.
• Alexforbes also announced their continued investment in South African sailing by sponsoring the RCYC Sailing Academy team for the 2025 race.
• South African Airways was named a travel partner, aligning with its newly launched direct flight route from Cape Town to São Paulo, Brazil.

Empowering the next generation of sailors

Following in the footsteps of the Alexforbes ArchAngel entry that secured a third-place podium finish in the 2023 Cape2Rio, Alexforbes has once again committed to supporting youth from disadvantaged communities by introducing an all-female crew from the RCYC Sailing Academy. The young crew ranges from ages 21 to 26 and is already engaged in a comprehensive training program, designed to develop essential teamwork, boat handling, and navigation skills in preparation for the 2025 race.

The RCYC Sailing Academy, established in 2012 has been a pathway to opportunity for young South Africans, imparting life skills through sailing and nurturing sailing talent.

Cape2Rio 2025 takes a stand for ocean conservation

The introduction of SeaKeepers as Cape2Rio’s official environmental partner marks a major step forward in ocean conservation efforts. Through this partnership, participating yachts will be encouraged to join the SeaKeepers DISCOVERY Programme, which supports marine research initiatives during the race.

Competitors will also contribute to the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, a global initiative to map the world’s ocean floor to modern standards. This collaboration underscores Cape2Rio’s commitment to environmental responsibility, ensuring that the race not only challenges sailors but also benefits the broader scientific community.

The countdown to Cape2Rio 2025 begins

With just under a year to go, excitement is building for Cape2Rio 2025, as the fleet prepares to set sail on this legendary journey across the Atlantic. From seasoned professionals to ambitious newcomers, this race remains a true test of human skill, endurance, and teamwork.

by Royal Cape Yacht Club