02:33Shepherd to skipper: Former South African herdsman sets sail for Brazil in Cape2Rio yacht race
Former South African herdsman, Sibusiso Sisatu, is getting set to lead his crew on the famous yacht race across the Atlantic from Cape Town to Rio, as seen in footage on Monday.
"I spent my childhood in the eastern Cape, from the age I was born until the age of nine, eight years old. During those years I've never seen the ocean or a boat," Sisatu admitted.
Footage shows their vessel, the 'Alexforbes ArchAngel', with the skipper preparing for the journey and taking pictures with locals and supporters.
"I was amazed [when I first started] by these sails going up," Sisatu explained. "There is no engine. In total, the boat goes forward just by using these sails and that's the engine of the boat."
The six-strong crew was trained by the Royal Cape Yacht Club Sailing Academy, which helps those from marginalised communities into the sport and the industry. Sisatu himself is now the senior instructor.
"Sibusiso Sisatu has got a lot of experience. I think he has been sailing more than 10 years now. I only started sailing with him in 2018," said team member, Azile Arosi, adding "He is just an amazing sailor."
The team begins the 3,300-nautical-mile trip on Tuesday, January 3, with 16 boats vying for the title in the 17th edition of the race. The first took place in 1971, won by 'Ocean Spirit' and co-skippered by renowned sailor Robin Knox-Johnston.
02:33Former South African herdsman, Sibusiso Sisatu, is getting set to lead his crew on the famous yacht race across the Atlantic from Cape Town to Rio, as seen in footage on Monday.
"I spent my childhood in the eastern Cape, from the age I was born until the age of nine, eight years old. During those years I've never seen the ocean or a boat," Sisatu admitted.
Footage shows their vessel, the 'Alexforbes ArchAngel', with the skipper preparing for the journey and taking pictures with locals and supporters.
"I was amazed [when I first started] by these sails going up," Sisatu explained. "There is no engine. In total, the boat goes forward just by using these sails and that's the engine of the boat."
The six-strong crew was trained by the Royal Cape Yacht Club Sailing Academy, which helps those from marginalised communities into the sport and the industry. Sisatu himself is now the senior instructor.
"Sibusiso Sisatu has got a lot of experience. I think he has been sailing more than 10 years now. I only started sailing with him in 2018," said team member, Azile Arosi, adding "He is just an amazing sailor."
The team begins the 3,300-nautical-mile trip on Tuesday, January 3, with 16 boats vying for the title in the 17th edition of the race. The first took place in 1971, won by 'Ocean Spirit' and co-skippered by renowned sailor Robin Knox-Johnston.