International brewing giant, Heineken, has announced that they will once again be the Title Sponsor of the Royal Cape Yacht Club's premier South Atlantic race, the Heineken Cape-to-Rio, which will take place in January 2011. The Heineken Cape to Rio is a jewel in the crown of Heineken’s global partnership with the premium sport of sailing. As Title Sponsor for the third Trans-Atlantic race in a row, we have certainly consolidated our brand ownership of one of South Africa’s iconic sporting challenges, said Franco Maria Maggi, National Brand Manager, Heineken.
We are extremely pleased to welcome Heineken back onboard once again and are equally pleased to be taking the Race back to its roots in Rio de Janerio, site of the finish of the first race forty years ago. said John Martin, Commodore of Royal Cape Yacht Club. Ever since then, the event has maintained its status as the top Trans-Atlantic race on the ocean racing calendar.
The total length of the race is around 3.400 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean. After leaving Cape Town, participants route direct for Rio. With the South Atlantic high pressure in mid atlantic the yachts have to deviate in order to miss the calm conditions. Skippers therefore need to decide whether to take the longer route with stronger winds, or a more direct route with the risk for lighter winds.
