SABBEX speaks to organiser Ingrid Hale about an event likely to showcase local boats.
1) How did the Seychelles Challenge idea originate? Has it been years in development?
The Indian Ocean, especially the Seychelles and surrounding islands lack any international regattas when compared to the Caribbean. We believe that The Seychelles Challenge will provide something that is fresh for sailors and yacht owners who have traditionally sailed their summer in the Med and moved their yachts to the Caribbean during their European winter, the Seychelles is a Hurricane or Cyclone free zone and has a first world marina.
Bringing the inaugural Seychelles Challenge into fruition has been a journey spanning over 18 months.
2) It looks to be an event incorporating both racers and cruisers. Is that a key objective?
Absolutely. It has been our goal to create an event where competitive sailors can really test their skills, while recreational cruisers can have fun and be a part of a competitive event without the stress that goes along with it. For the experienced racers, the challenge is in navigating around beautiful islands while eking every bit of speed out of their racing yacht or charter catamaran. The Seychelles Challenge can be taken seriously as a racing sailor, or you can just join the fun by joining in as a fun racer.
For that reason we offer a charter alternative where you can have the option to leave all the hard work to your captain while you and your team enjoy the fun element of the regatta experience. To make this possible we have Moorings and Sunsail on board who offer a turnkey charter solution for the recreational cruiser racer who does not want the admin of moving his or her catamaran or monohull across oceans to be in the Seychelles for one event.
We are hoping to start a trend where the weekend racing sailor and eventually the full professional teams will venture into new territories such as the Seychelles.
3) How has the event been received thus far?
The cooperation and buy in from the Seychelles has been overwhelming – from the Coast Guard to the local youth sailing NGOs and Tourism Seychelles… all have been enthusiastic and very willing to assist, we have created a family who are all eager to be part of what potentially will be an amazing event. We also have ample South African and international interest in the event.
4) A ‘flotilla sailing holiday’ sounds incredible. Who was involved in mapping the route /itinerary?
Hylton Hale along with local sailors designed the course that favours the prevailing trade winds during the month of July, the courses are a fair mix of downwind and upwind sailing with some of the longer legs being more of a reaching course.
5) Tell us a little more about how the Challenge is structured?
The event takes place over 7 days and 6 stages, following a point-to-point format. The three islands of Mahe, La Digue and Praslin are the primary islands used for the daily racecourses, these include a 30 odd mile race from Mahe to Praslin, same day ventures around Praslin Island, including a pit stop at one of the most beautiful beaches, namely Anse Lazio. After Praslin there is a race to La Digue, which includes a venture around this beautiful island as well as some of the outer small islands. Every evening there will be a prize giving for the days’ racing followed by a light dinner or canapes either at one of the island’s restaurants or just simply hanging out on the beach.
6) Have you yourself spent much time in the Seychelles? What are your impressions of the place?
I have been to Seychelles several times, which were all to sail around the islands and enjoy the beauty of the place.
7) Do you see this event evolving and attracting international interest?
We are here for the long run, our vision is to continue with the fun element of the charter fleet with our partners Moorings Sunsail, it is our intention to attract some professional teams to experience a new venture and racing destination with the long term goal of having the Seychelles Challenge as part of the IMA circuit (International Maxi Association), including the possible future involvement of the Oyster, Outremer and any world yachting rallies.
8) Would you say this event could add further impetus to the local boatbuilding sector, possibly by showcasing some locally-built boats and or designs?
Yes, the event is largely based on the use of the Moorings and Sunsail Charter fleet, which are Leopard catamarans built by Robertson and Caine in Cape Town. I am not sure on the amount of Leopard Catamarans the Mooring Sunsail company has purchased through their ownership program, but I can imagine it is in the 100s.