Colorpress Vasco da Gama

The Beneteau First 40, Bellatrix relished a mere 16 minute lead in the final handicap results between themselves and second placed Aquavit, an L34 skippered by Ross McGill from Durban North.

After a clean start in Maputo, Bellatrix rounded Inhaca Island in second position and enjoyed sailing with the front runners for the entire race, sprinting down the coastline. Hurter opted for sailing slightly offshore as he and the crew adored the downwind race recording speeds of up to 19knots. They blew two spinnakers during the night but continued flying their biggest spinnaker in the sky.

The front runners consisting of five yachts out of a quality fleet of fifteen were tightly bunched together speeding to arrive back in Durban before the approaching South Westerly. Bellatrix was the furthest offshore, sticking just behind Skitzo, who was rewarded with line honours after their impeccable performance. Bellatrix pushed Skitzo the entire race, crossing the line in second position 29minutes behind Nigel Miln sailing on Skitzo. Miln, the defending champion, finished the race in just under 33 hours.

Commodore for the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Richard Crockett commented on Skitzo winning line honours, "A great result from a man who is fast beginning to 'own' the Vasco race."

Second placed Aquavit powered to the finish, sneaking in just before midnight in just under 38 hours. The young team on board worked tirelessly trimming the sails squeezing out any speed as they neared Durban.

Crockett enthused, "This year the race has been a cracker, I am impressed with the entire fleet and their efforts. The front runners gave all us landlubbers an exciting show as they tussled for line honours. And the rest of the guys preserved through it all, the rough South Westerly that blew up to 30knots, the windless calm on Friday afternoon."Continuing, Crockett stated, "Special mention to Flyer skippered by Brad Rayson and Zap skippered by Graham Rose who never gave up. Zap had battery problems and had to conserve energy so they could use their power for essentials such as GPS, navigational equipment and navigational lights. And Flyer, the last one home impressed us no end, getting battered in the South Westerly but preserved."

This year the stats revealed that 20% of the overall crew were under the age of 25 years and there were 42 new comers to the race. One of the new trophies presented at the prize giving was the Choose Life Youth Trophy that went to the youngest member who crossed the line first, this prestigious award went to Michael Dickinson sailing on Aquavit. 18 year old Dickinson who is from Glenwood High School is fast making a name for himself in the Durban sailing community.

A riveting conclusion to the 2013 Vasco da Gama international ocean race witnessed a battle offshore with Gregg Hurter sailing Bellatrix being crowned the champion of the toughest ocean race in Southern Africa.