CAPE TOWN – Three South African sailors who made sailing history by winning the Cape2Rio race were rescued and brought safely to shore, to the Naval Base in Simon’s Town, on Thursday morning, 12 February, after their yacht suffered catastrophic damage on their homeward voyage.
The sailing vessel Alexforbes Angel Wings was abandoned approximately 1 448 km south-east of Rio de Janeiro at 02:30 on Monday 3 February after suffering a complete dismasting that left the crew unable to continue to Cape Town.
All three crew members – skipper Sibusiso Sizatu, first mate Tshepo Renaldo Mohale and Andrea Myburg – were safely transferred to the motor vessel Bryant following coordination between maritime rescue-coordination centres in South Africa and Brazil.
The sailors hail from Masiphumelele, Khayelitsha, Capricorn and the Cape Flats.
The South African Navy successfully brought the trio ashore after its vessel, SAS Adam Kok III, rendezvoused with the Pacific merchant vessel Bryant on Wednesday 11 February, approximately 63 nautical miles off Cape Point.
On their arrival at the naval base the skippers were overjoyed at being reunited with members of the Royal Cape Yacht Club. The trio were brought to safety with no injuries reported.
Skipper Sizatu recalled that the mast collapsed as he began his watch. That as well as the limited fuel reserves of approximately 200 litres and worsening conditions decided that returning to Rio was not feasible, said SA Navy captain (SAN) Theo Mabina.
Suddenly the vessel began taking water in. “I immediately contacted the Royal Cape Yacht Club Commodore, David Garrard, who alerted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre South Africa (MRCC),” saiD Sizatu.
Following the rescue the Royal Cape Yacht Club formally requested assistance from the SA Navy. to transfer the three sailors from Bryant once the vessel reached South African waters.
The South African Navy commended the swift coordination between the Royal Cape Yacht Club, MRCC South Africa and the crew of the Bryant, ensuring the safe rescue of the sailors, Mabina added.
From triumph to rescue
The dramatic rescue follows the crew’s historic victory in the 2025 Cape2Rio race, where Angel Wings became the first youth team from the Cape Flats to claim first place on handicap in the Southern Hemisphere’s longest continent-to-continent yacht race.
Their 3 300-nautical mile triumph was even more remarkable after their boom broke mid-Atlantic on Saturday 10 January, forcing them to race without critical equipment. Despite this setback, they extended their lead and finished ahead of schedule.
The three other women on board had never crossed the Atlantic before, making this achievement even more remarkable.
The decision to abandon Angel Wings came after consultation with motor vessel Bryant’s master, considering the complete loss of all spars needed for a jury rig and deteriorating weather conditions with 20-25-knot winds and 4-5-m waves.
“The distance from safe harbour and the notorious unpredictability of South Atlantic weather led to the final call of crew uplift and vessel abandonment,” maritime authorities stated.
Angel Wings sank after the crew’s safe rescue. The families of all three sailors have been notified of the incident and successful rescue operation.
Viresh Maharaj, retail CEO at Alexforbes, reflected on the bittersweet conclusion: “The crew is elated with the win and their successful campaign despite the setbacks. They’re looking forward to their reunion and the local prize-giving at Royal Cape Yacht Club in March.”
The three female crew members who participated in the race victory had already returned to South Africa for work and education commitments, receiving a hero’s welcome upon landing in Cape Town.
Maritime authorities thanked the maritime rescue coordination centres in South Africa and Brazil for their prompt assistance, along with motor vessel Bryant’s master, crew, and owners for their professional rescue operation.
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