History has been made on the international sporting stage for a youth team with sailors from the Cape Flats, competing in the Southern Hemisphere’s longest continent-to-continent yacht race.
Cape Town Teams Take Victory
Alexforbes Angel Wings, a Cape Town youth team representing the Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC) Sailing Academy, has claimed first place on handicap in the 2025 Cape2Rio race. They have made history as the first such team to earn their place and take victory in the 3,300-nautical-mile transatlantic crossing.
The iconic Cape2Rio Yacht Race, first held in 1971, challenges teams to navigate the route from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro.
The Alexforbes Angel Wings crew, led by Skipper Sibusiso Sizatu and First Mate Renaldo Mohale, included Philasande Gwala, Sesona Ntsaluba and Yonela Temela, with reserve sailor Yobanathi Klaas supporting the team throughout training and preparation. Of note, the three women on board had never crossed the Atlantic before, making this achievement even more remarkable.
Resilience in action
On Saturday, 10 January, the team faced a major setback when the boom broke during a sailing manoeuvre mid-Atlantic. As a critical component of the rig, its failure placed the crew in a severely compromised position and would typically force retirement from a race of this nature.
Faced with that reality, the team made the bold decision to continue, racing without a boom and spinnaker – the large, balloon-like sail used to maximise downwind speed. What followed was an extraordinary demonstration of seamanship, leadership, and the South African spirit of never giving up.
Despite the damage, Alexforbes Angel Wings not only remained competitive but extended their 25-hour lead by several hours, arriving in Rio ahead of their expected finish time – a feat rarely seen in offshore racing at this level. The crew maintained speed, control, and composure throughout, without compromising safety, ultimately securing a historic victory against the odds.
Join the Cape2Rio Selfie Competition!
Stand a chance to win two South African Airlines return tickets to Brazil, plus connecting flights to Rio and accommodation and transfers valued up to R50,000.
Visit the Cape2Rio selfie wall at the V&A Waterfront (near Nobel Square) between 5 Dec 2025 and 30 Jan 2026.
Snap your selfie and share it publicly on Facebook. Tag any of these accounts (@cape2rioyachtrace @alexforbes @FlySAA @vandawaterfront @cityofcapetown) and use #Cape2Rio2025.
Website: @cape2riorace.com
