The Campaign
Ciao Bella Race Team is a student comprised sailing team that is setting its sights on competing and winning the prestigious Cape2Rio Yacht Race. Ciao Bella Race Team was formed in December of 2018 by a group of university students, which were already actively competing in the sailing space. The team is made up of 6 highly skilled sailors and ultra-endurance athletes: Ryan Robinson, Michaela Robinson, Tawanda Chikasha, Emma Clark, Jonathan Ham and Alexander Ham. All of whom are currently studying a range of degrees at universities across South Africa. The team members have competed in National Championships, World Championships and a range of other national and international sailing regattas – giving the youth team the right tools and skillset to challenge for the Cape2Rio Yacht Race.
The Team
Emma
University of the Witwatersrand: Bachelor of Engineering Science in Biomedical Engineering; Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electrical) Information;
Sailing crew position: Tactician
Emma started sailing at the age of 10. Having learned the ropes quickly she ascended to become the youngest female competitor at All African Games in 2011. Since then she has been a female National Champion of the Optimist and Laser Radial classes. She also competed in the ISAF Youth Worlds, where her achievements earned her Protea Colours. Emma was also an integral part of the 6 Sailing Ladies as part of an all-female Lipton Challenge Cup campaign team. Emma’s engineering and mathematical background have given her strategic and tactical prowess which she has been able harness and apply to sailing, for this reason Emma was chosen as the person with the best skill set to be the teams Tactician.
Tawanda
University of the Witwatersrand: Bachelor of Commerce Economics and Management
Nationality: Zimbabwe
Sailing Crew position: Bowman & Mainsail trimmer
Coming from a landlocked country, Tawanda’s ambition and drive lead him into the realm of sailing 4 years ago. He excelled among some of the top sailors as a member of Wits Sailing Club to become a part of Ciao Bella Race Team and take part in the Cape2Rio Yacht Race. Tawanda has competed successfully in several national sailing regattas and national championships as well as having done work for The Volvo Ocean Race on their stopover in Cape Town. Tawanda’s sense of calm and fearlessness in high pressure situations has saved the team in many sailing situations, this paired with his fast reaction time and precision make him a great asset to the team as a sail trimmer and bowman.
Jonathan
University of Pretoria: Bachelor's degree of Veterinary Science
Sailing crew position: Navigator
Jonathan has been involved in sailing from a very young age. He has proven his ability both nationally and internationally through two national championship titles in 2016 and 2017. Being the youngest skipper at his first international regatta, (505 World Championships, Kiel, Germany, 2015) and progressing, more recently, to finishing as the 2nd Youth team, alongside his brother, Alexander, at the 505 World Championships in Fremantle, Australia 2019. Jonathan’s strengths lie in his ability to persevere through difficult situations and remain focussed on attaining a successful outcome. These strengths have enabled him to compete in numerous ultra-endurance events. Through his adventure and endurance racing activities Jonathan has been able to sharpen his navigation skills through the use of navigation tools, maps and charts. Jonathan’s skillset make him a great asset to the team as the head Navigator while he works with the tactician and skippers to plot the best course of sail.
Alex
Stellenbosch University: Masters in Mechanical Engineering
Sailing Crew Position: Helmsman, Trimmer
Alex has sailed on a large variety of boats since a young age. Starting out in youth dinghy classes and progressing to high performance two-person dinghies as well as grand prix keelboats. As a 470 crew he has been a training partner to two South African 470 Olympic campaigns, placing highly in a number of international 470 events during this period. He has also won a 505 national title as a helm and has consistently been one of the top placed South African competitors at 505 World Championships. Alex has been a helmsman/trimmer in the Vasco da Gama Yacht Race, taking line honours on the occasion. Additionally he has been competing as a bowman and trimmer on the Cape 31 Sportsboat circuit and, together with his team Magic, won all but one of the 2018-2019 series events taking the season win comfortably. Alex is a versatile sailor having experience in all major onboard roles, he excels in the technical aspects of boat preparation and problem solving. He is a cunning tactician and strong physical sailor making him a great addition to the team.
Michaela
University of Pretoria: Bachelor of Commerce
Sailing crew position: Skipper
Sailing with her brother, Ryan, Michaela has managed to win two consecutive World championship sailing titles, and various national titles. She has also previously competed in the Cape2Rio Yacht Race twice, coming in at 2nd and 5th place respectfully. Michaela recently competed in ISAF World Championships representing South Africa. She has also been awarded youth Protea colours for her international sailing achievements. Michaela’s leadership qualities and sailing experience will make her an asset as the Skipper of the boat, her determination and drive will assist in pushing the team to their limits throughout the course of campaign and the race.
Ryan
University of the Witwatersrand: Bachelor of Commerce Economics and Finance
Sailing crew position: Co-Skipper and Crew leader
Ryan’s sailing career began early in his life at the age of 7. Since then Ryan has managed to become one of South Africa’s finest youth sailors having won two Mirror World Championships after teaming up with his sister Michaela, competed in two ISAF Youth World Championships, three Dart World Championships, two 505 World championships and several other international and national sailing regattas. Ryan’s achievements earned him the honour of being awarded Protea colours and earned him the privilege of wearing South Africa’s national kit and represent South African sailing abroad. Ryan’s sailing expertise and experience as well as his spirit of camaraderie have suited his positions as both the crew leader and the co-skipper.