Cape Town: The calm after the storm of the second leg of the Clipper Race

Leg 2 of the Clipper Round the World Race is considered one of the most challenging parts of the course because of the perilous conditions of the South Atlantic Ocean. There are the Trade Winds that can damage the sailboat’s spinnaker, which may require hours of strenuous stitching to repair. There is also the difficulty of traversing through long, rolling swells that will test the physical and mental state of the skippers, which James Feldkamp would be this 2019.

Image source: yachtsandyachting.com
It is also said that the second leg should be treated as a marathon, not a sprint. But after approximately 18 days and 4,200 miles of sailing, the stopover at Cape Town, South Africa can help the crew recover well for many reasons.

For one, the port city is just beneath the famous Table Mountain and is bordered by the sea on both sides. It is also home to a biodiverse species of flora and fauna, which can be enjoyed in the Company’s Gardens, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and other nature reserves.

Image source: travelstart.co.za
Some participants, including James Feldkamp, could also look to bask in culture and history, which Cape Town is quite known for. As early as the 15th century, Portuguese, French, Danish, Dutch, and English ships regularly docked in the area for trade purposes. Even though many parts of the city has become urbanized, there are still plenty avenues to learn about the rich heritage of Cape Town.

James Feldkamp has more than two decades of experience in federal government and military, specializing in international security and foreign policy initiatives. Learn more about Mr. Feldkamp here.

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