Cape to Rio 2023: Meet the Team

The iconic Cape to Rio Race will be sailed from 2 January 2023. The race is in its 50th year and promises to provide fantastic trade wind sailing for all competing. The adventure of a lifetime!

The Cool Ideas Nemesis is a Fast 42 design yacht based in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. A proposal from a bunch of “Vaalies” to complete this iconic bucket-list race has resulted in the entry of Cool Ideas Nemesis in the Cape to Rio Race 2023.

The adventure has been made possible by the sponsorship from Cool Ideas and Motsoeneng Bill Attorneys Inc.

The crew is made of six members.

Tony Bailes – The Big Boss! The Skipper and having done all the boat preparation - the Boat Boss. Tony has sailed countless miles and plans to sail many more. He is a member of Gqeberha Yacht Club.

Sigi Bailes – Navigator and co-skipper. Trimming the sails is something she loves! Sigi will have plenty of time on the way to Rio for helming and trimming and planning to get to Rio the fastest way. She too is a member of the Gqeberha Yacht Club.

Michael Motsoeneng Bill – Our very own Managing Partner from MBA Incorporated. Michael is embarking on this adventure as a relatively new sailor. He holds a Fresh Day Skippers license under his belt, he will be adding many miles flying spinnakers and adeptly helming day and night. Michael is a member of the Lake Deneys Yacht Club.

Ted Barale – From the brown Vaal Dam water to deep blue water, Ted will get some awesome views from the foredeck when he handles the spinnaker pole when he is not trimming sails, helming and helping with the cooking tasks. Ted is a member of the Lake Deneys Yacht Club.

Anthony Engelbrecht – Ant has plenty experience at coastal sailing along South Africa’s rough coast. This will be his first ocean crossing and he eagerly looks forward to the famous champagne sailing conditions of the trade winds. Ant will be one of the skippers for the race, allowing the team to split into three shifts. Ant is also member of the Lake Deneys Yacht Club.

Gino Barale – Gino is our youngest crew member on board. He has been actively training with the team and helped sail the Cool Ideas Nemesis from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town. This experience has added to his confidence to ensure that he enjoys the 3 800 nautical miles to Rio. Gino too is a member of the Lake Deneys Yacht Club.