British yacht Team Mowgli third into Cape Town

10:01 PM Mon 17 Nov 2008 GMT

'Team Mowgli arriving in Cape Town - Catherine Sparkes photo - Portimao Global Ocean Race' Portim?o Global Ocean Race

The British yacht, Team Mowgli, co-skippered by Jeremy Salvesen and David Thomson, finished Leg 1 of the Portim?o Global Ocean Race as a stiff southeasterly wind had them scrambling to reduce sail the last mile into Cape Town.

After a terrific morning under clear skies and with a Code 5 spinnaker set, the duo ran out of wind in the lee of Table Mountain. Flopping around on a glassy sea Salvesen and Thomson were able to savour the spectacular scenery and relish their accomplishment. 'What's with this no wind?' Jeremy yelled across the water. Moments later the southeasterly kicked in and Team Mowgli took off, charging across the line with the rail buried and grins the size Table Mountain plastered in the faces of the two sailors. Team Mowgli crossed the line at 09:22:45 UTC, 11:22:45 local time in South Africa.

It had been an eventful race for the two sailors. Salvesen, who had not stepped on a boat a few short years ago was thrilled with the sailing and awed by their arrival in Cape Town. 'This has been an extraordinary experience for both David and myself,' he said. 'It has far exceeded anything I ever thought it would be. I am new to sailing. Now I am racing around the world in a superb yacht race enjoying some amazingly close racing. What else can I say, I am just so please to be here in Cape Town.'

Team Mowgli enjoyed a cat and mouse battle with the Chileans on Desafio Cabo de Hornos from the moment they exited the doldrums almost three weeks ago, until five days ago when Felipe Cubillos and Jos? Mu?oz ignited the afterburners on their brand new Class 40 and took off to challenge Beluga Racer for first place. With the lead changing almost daily fans from both continents found themselves addicted to the Race Tracker. 'We loved racing the Chileans,' Salvesen continued. 'I could not believe how close the racing was all the way down the South Atlantic. I thought we would be miles apart but to have such neck and neck racing was really special.'

For David Thomson sailing into Cape Town is a little like coming home. Thomson has lived in Cape Town and visited here numerous times. 'It was something else to see Table Mountain this morning and know that by lunchtime we would be feasting at the Royal Cape Yacht Club.'

The next boat to arrive will be Roaring Forty. At the 10:20 UTC poll Roaring Forty had 233 miles to go to Cape Town and was sailing at 9 knots. The best estimate for an ETA is early Tuesday evening.

by Brian Hancock

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British yacht Team Mowgli third into Cape Town

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