However, no financial backers came forward so Dr Anton Rupert of the Rembrandt Group offered to guarantee payment so that construction could begin.

His success in this race led to a surge of interest in sailing in South Africa.

Voortrekker was skippered by Navy Warrant Officer Bertie Reed and was 17 years old at that time, the oldest boat in the fleet.

[8] Due to her age and being pitted against competitors using the latest technologies and materials available at the time, Voortrekker was considered obsolete.

[3] Despite this, Reed placed second across the line and first on handicap, behind the yacht Credite Agricole, which had been purpose-built for this race.