After four days and ten races in Saint-Tropez, “Eker Süzme” has become the first winner of a Cape 31 Gold Cup. Ahmet Eker’s team ultimately prevailed with ease against formidable competition, finishing 17 points clear in a record fleet of 28 boats. After four races on Friday, the fleet was back at the starting line early on Saturday to make the most of the short window of opportunity for two more races.
Cape 31 Gold Cup: Top teams face a tough battle in the final
The final day in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez proved to be extremely challenging. The ‘Eker Süzme’ crew had to give it their all to finish ninth and tenth – enough to cross the line with a total of 41 points and secure the title. The strong-performing Turkish team was spurred on by the young Australian Sam Gilmour, son of the legendary four-time match racing world champion and America’s Cup veteran Peter Gilmour.
Behind the Gold Cup winners, the podium places were once again hotly contested on the final day. Vittorio Lombardi Stronati’s “Django” had started the final two races in fourth place and, with finishes of 13th, 2nd and 58th, catapulted itself to second place overall. Behind them, Marcus Brennecke’s “Hatari”, which got off to a flying start in the Cape 31 Gold Cup last Wednesday with a race win, finishing third with 12th and 21st places and a total of 63 points. Click here to see the final results.
Owner and helmsman Brennecke sailed to a podium finish with Nic Asher, Elliot Willis, Will Ryan, Carl Rupp, Ole Burzinski and Joe Drake. Nikolai Burkart’s “Gecko d’or”, with tactician David Chapman, finished seventh in the Cape 31 Gold Cup, making it the second-best German boat. Christian Schwörer’s “La Pericolosa” came eighth.
“Hatari” hampered by two early starts, but still strong enough for a podium finish
The youngest German crew in the field achieved their best result – an eighth-place finish – on the final day of their first Cape 31 event: Max Augustin, tactician Malte Winkel and their crew, as newcomers on “H.E.A.T.”, learnt the hard way at first, but managed to turn their form around significantly in the final stretch. They finished the high-calibre series in 25th place, having gained a wealth of new experience.
The crew on the top German boat “Hatari” sometimes made life difficult for themselves at the first Cape 31 Gold Cup, despite some strong sailing performances. Nevertheless, “Hatari” owner and helmsman Marcus Brennecke gave a positive assessment, saying: “It was a brilliant week. We had a very good race director who, in my opinion, did everything perfectly. ‘Eker Süzme’ is the deserved winner. They sailed very well throughout the week, with just one poor race, but were otherwise very consistent.”
At the same time, Brennecke also acknowledged weaknesses in his own crew: “We had our problems with two OCS on the second day, which made things a bit harder for us, but ultimately we’re happy with third place. It’s all very close. It’s great to have this fleet. It’s very competitive. As always, you have to get off the starting line well.”
A high level of competition at the Cape 31 Gold Cup: ten races, ten winners
The close nature of the races and the broad field of Cape 31s resulted in a remarkable outcome: there were ten different winners across the ten races. “Hatari” and “Gecko d’or” also secured one race win each. Winner Ahmet Eker was not alone in noting: “It was a fantastic week and we can see the fleet growing. We’re really pleased about that!”
Class manager Victoria Tomlinson Cheney remarked: “What a week! A year ago, the Cape 31 Gold Cup was just an idea. Today we’re here in Saint-Tropez for the final of the first edition. I’m so proud of what this class has become.” For quite a few, this trendy racing class – which offers plenty of regatta fun – also serves as a training ground. Take Marcus Brennecke, for example, who has just announced that he will be joining the 52 Super Series next year.
The majority of Brennecke’s Cape 31 crew will be competing for the last time in the World Championship aboard the ClubSwan 50 “Hatari” from 27 to 31 October, before their time with the Swan comes to an end and they make the switch to the 52 Super Series. That is why the team has already been practising for the next highlight at the Cape 31 Gold Cup. Marcus Brennecke identified “the boat, the sails, the speed in light winds, the ‘moves’ – such as climbing to windward after rounding leeward marks – and the comebacks” as his crew’s greatest strengths this week.
Marcus Brennecke: “We’re playing well as a team, but we’re not getting carried away”
His tip: “We were probably the boat with the most well-executed manoeuvres.” However, in addition to the two false starts, his crew also picked up two penalties on the third day. On the final day, according to Brennecke, “We were able to briefly cross the fleet in the first race today, starting on the leeward side. Then came a right-hand turn and the chance was gone. We were a bit unlucky in that respect, so it wasn’t a great final day. That’s why I think bronze is a fair result.”
"Our first Cape 31 season went quite well, with finishes of 1st, 3rd and 3rd in the events." Marcus Brennecke
The “Hatari” crew are expected to resume their Cape 31 racing at the class’s first event this coming April in Scarlino. Before that, however, there are other peaks to conquer. Six out of seven Cape 31 competitors will be taking part in the ClubSwan 50 World Championship. Further competitors will be joining them. “That means we’re relatively well-rehearsed, including in terms of communication, but by no means overconfident,” explains Brennecke.
The Cape 31 is like a “mini TP52”
Despite winning the ClubSwan European Championship and sitting third after the events so far this season, the helmsman, who races for the Bavarian Yacht Club and the North German Regatta Club, explains: “It’s just like in football: the next match is the most important one. We’re aiming for a podium finish.” After that, Marcus Brennecke and Team Hatari will be breaking new ground. He says: “The 52 Super Series is a completely new challenge. We’ll be training with the new crew on the new boat for the first time in November, before it’s shipped to Thailand.”
Drawing on all his experience from the top leagues in sailing, Brennecke says: “My view is that good preparation – including team selection and the development process – is crucial to success. Results follow from this process. And the ‘little TP52’, the Cape 31, certainly helps a bit when it comes to learning quickly.”
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter