In February, we published an article about the planned Cape Horn Race 2019-2020 that was to depart from Gibraltar on 2 November 2019 and make four stop-overs before finishing the 10,000 nautical mile event in Punta del Este, Uruguay.
That plan has been scratched, with a revamped plan for the Cape Horn Race now in the works for 2022 and 2024. The race organiser has been working closely with the local authorities and confident that all required approvals and support will be in place for the event.
The revised Cape Horn Race is approximately 1,000 nautical miles. Starting from Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, competitors will go north then west / southwest to pass though Le Maire Strait and round Cape Horn Island (Chile) to port before continuing north east to finish back at Port Stanley.
The Cape Horn Race 22 is scheduled to start on Monday 10 January 2022 with a parade of sail scheduled for the 8th and the entire event to run from January 6 to 24. The Cape Horn Race 24 will start Wednesday 17 January 2024 (dates subject to change).
These dates have been planned to coincide with favourable tide conditions when competitors sail through Le Maire Strait. The January dates also mean the competitors are sailing in the relatively more stable conditions and longer days of summer.
The 2024 race marks the 50th anniversary of the first ever fully-crewed yacht race around Cape Horn that took place in 1973/1974. The Race Organiser hopes to attract a large international contingent for the 2024 event, while the main focus of the 2022 event is on establishing a safe and successful race.
The Notice of Race is yet to be finalised, however the plan is to open entry to all monohulls between 12m and 24m with a crew of between 4 and 12 persons onboard under IRC handicap rules. There may also be an invitation to Bénéteau Figaro 3 (2 crew), Class 40 (4 crew), and IMOCA 60 (2 crew) classes to enter. All competitors will be required to complete a qualifying passage before participating in the event.
The Cape Horn Race is the brain child of Alec Honey who was the navigator onboard Great Britain 2 when they raced around Cape Horn on 23 January 1974, as part of the 1973–1974 Whitbread Round the World Race.
According to Mr. Honey, “the Cape Horn Race provides a historic route of discovery, social activity and safety by voyaging together under the surveillance and participation of three national search and rescue organisations; Falklands, Argentina and Chile.”
There are still a number of things that need to be finalised, but it looks like progress and momentum are building for what should be an interesting race for both for competitors and spectators.
You can keep up-to-date with the latest news from the Cape Horn Race on their facebook page, or click here to register your interest as crew.
