The second stage of the Trans Agulhas Inflatable Boat Challenge will be remembered for five to six metre swells and strong wind. Three boats failed to finish the stage and one capsized off Mossel Bay point.
Thirty-four teams, including a team from Russia, entered this year's race, which spans 702kms and five days.
Stage two, spanning a distance of 86km, started in Mossel Bay and finished in Still Bay.
Arriving first at the finish was the team of Robertson Abattoir (Eben de Bod and Gerhard Fernhout). This standard class boat managed to pull off a surprise stage win, which usually goes the way of a modified class entry. In the modified class, there are no limitations, except that the cylinders are not allowed to exceed 850ccs.
Second and third over the finish line were two professional class boats: Team Imperial Cargo (Wimpie Ackermann and Whitey Louw) and Team Nulandis. In the overall standing, a mere three seconds separate these two teams with Team Nulandis coming in at 04:32:26, followed by Team Imperial Cargo (04:32:26).
The team of First Road Emergency (modified class) that dominated the first stage, did not finish under the top five on day 2. They still lead the overall standings in the modified class though, with a lead of more than 28 minutes (04:31:39) ahead of second place contenders Team Robertson Abattoir (04:59:45).
After two days of racing, the top three teams in the respective classes are:
Novice standard class
- Plumbcore
- Motolek; and
- Dolphin Inflatables
Standard class
- Robertson Abattoir
- Valumax / Amigos / Excellparts; and
- Fidelity Security
Professional class
- Nulandis
- Imperial Cargo; and
- Genric Insurance
Modified class
- First Road Emergency
- Wizard Marine / Eastwoods / Robertson Abattoir; and
- Rusgenot
Tomorrow's stage spans 161km from Still Bay to Struisbaai. Follow this link to view Day 2's image gallery. |