Dave has been sailing since the age of 8 and has racked up more than 27 Atlantic crossings over a 40-year career as a professional yachtsman. Based in Cape Town, he’s sailed everything from dinghies to maxis, skippered races from St Helena to Sydney, and delivered yachts across the globe. Born with cerebral palsy, Dave has defied expectations at every turn — both on the water and off. Now skippering Solitaire, he’s sailing to raise awareness and support for children with cerebral palsy at Vista Nova School.

Michelle began sailing in 1995 and skippered a 31ft yacht in the 1996 Cape to Rio, followed by races in the Caribbean and the UK. After 25 years focused on family and time away from sailing, she reconnected with Dave 18 months ago — and with that, rediscovered her love for the ocean. She’s now back at the helm with fresh energy and a clear purpose: to cross the Atlantic once again and raise funds for Vista Nova School, a special needs school in Cape Town. When she’s not sailing, Michelle runs a manufacturing business specialising in blinds, cushions, and yacht upholstery.

Originally inspired in her mid-20s by the story of Maiden, the first all-girl Whitbread team, Cathy has tried to fit in her passion for sailing alongside a challenging career in health. Now in semi-retirement, she has circumnavigation in her sights. With 16,000 offshore miles under her belt, she will have a few stories to tell on those long night-watches across the Atlantic.  She is thrilled to be joining an amazing crew on Solitaire and championing their awareness-raising for those born with cerebral palsy.  She becomes the second Brit on the boat but after 20 years she is most definitely a citizen of the Republic of Hout Bay!

Anton started sailing dinghies as a youngster before moving onto keelboats on the Vaal Dam and, after relocating to Cape Town in 2010, at the Royal Cape Yacht Club and False Bay. He’s a regular in short-handed races and annual events like the Canyon Cup, Mykonos Offshore, West Coast, and Twilight Series. With a Yachtmaster certification under his belt, Anton has delivered yachts along the South African coast and even sailed a Cape to Rio boat home in 1993. He’s now back on the route — this time heading west!

Andrew is an attorney and CEO of Rodel Fiduciary, a company dedicated to supporting the care and financial wellbeing of victims of medical malpractice. A seasoned endurance athlete, he’s completed multiple Ironman races, the Dusi Canoe Marathon, and the Comrades — thriving in events that demand focus, resilience, and serious mental grit. While Cape to Rio is his first major sailing challenge, Andrew is no stranger to stepping outside his comfort zone. As the novice sailor on the crew, he brings curiosity, determination, and a deep respect for the ocean.

Originally from the UK, Johnny has been obsessed with the ocean from a young age, whether it’s sailing dinghies, chasing waves, or kitesurfing South Africa’s wild coastline. Now based in Cape Town, he’s spent over 20 years building travel companies, including Timbuktu, helping others explore some of the most remote corners of the planet. Crossing the Atlantic has been a lifelong dream, and now it’s becoming reality as part of the Solitaire crew.