Top SA sailors compete at the 10th Lion if Africa Insuarance Ladies Yacht Race

Yacht Ambeloui

South Africa’s top female sailors competed in the 2012 Lion of Africa Ladies Yacht Race over the weekend in Cape Town. The all-female flagship regatta has grown year-on-year since 2002, positioning itself as a premier fixture on the African yachting scene

Sponsored by Lion of Africa Insurance, the 2012 event took place at the Royal Cape Yacht Club in Cape Town on Saturday, 12 November and saw Alliance Francaise, skippered by Dominique Provoyeur, crowned the winner of the spinnaker class and Hermans Yacht Club on Yacht Ambeloui, skippered by Dale Rae and Jacqui Louw, the winner of the non-spinnaker class race.

23 yachts entered the race with each crew consisting of between five and twelve crew members. VIP guests also had the opportunity to be part of the action, watching the race from spectator boats, while the event could be viewed by the public from Granger Bay, Lion’s Head and Milnerton Beach.

Sailors and guests were welcomed back from the race by KFM presenter, Elana Afrika, who also awarded the winners with beautiful handmade porcelain yachts and sandstone sculptures of women which symbolise South Africa’s successful female talent.

According to Jonathan Holden, Executive: Operations at Lion of Africa Insurance, the exhilarating event has become a key fixture on the local sailing calendar. “We are proud to celebrate our tenth successive year of sponsorship in 2012. The Lion of Africa Ladies Yacht Race is a unique opportunity that encourages women from all walks of life to participate in the sport of sailing,” says Holden.

Holden says the event must be encouraged so that female crews and skippers are given the chance to test their abilities and to showcase their talent. We are privileged to be part of an event that consistently recognises and empowers South Africa’s top and emerging female sailing talent,” concludes Holden.