Wits sailors back at home
MEMORIES MADE: Team members (from left to right) Alexa Brown, Alistair Moodie and Patrick Chappel share a lighthearted moment as they watch a slideshow of their experiences. Photo: Tracey Ruff
From subliminal sunsets at sea to late-night samba parties, the Wits Cape 2 Rio sailing team have experienced it all in just a few short months.
The team finished 6th in one of the world’s most gruelling yacht races and was officially welcomed back to home turf by the Wits Yacht Club this past week.
Getting raucous in Rio
“We took Rio, smashed it in its face [and] ripped it to shreds,” joked Alistair Moodie, who was the watch captain on board. The team spoke of their experiences through a slide show at the welcome party and even brought along their CapetoRio trinkets to show off.
Patrick Chappel, bowman on the yacht, was no less emphatic: “To pull it off and really accomplish it … [Cape 2 Rio] is the longest ocean-crossing race in the world … it’s a huge accomplishment.”
Wits deputy vice-chancellor (finance and operations), Professor Tawana Kupe was glowing in his praise of the team’s achievement: “It confirms one thing; [their achievement] gives Wits the edge. Wits was the only university in the race and we came sixth and won a medal. [The team] definitely did Wits proud. It is an inspirational performance.”
The Wits Cape 2 Rio team was the only student team in this year’s race and the first Wits team to race in the competition since 1984.
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