The starting gun for the legendary Cape2Rio yacht race was fired on December 27, 2025, marking the opening of the 2025 edition of this historic transatlantic challenge from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro. Twelve crews on yachts of various classes and types embarked on a 3,300 nautical mile ocean crossing. Conditions at the start were stormy, with wind speeds of up to 30 knots. Aware that the race can be lost in the first hour, participants pursued a conservative and tactical strategy. The fleet started downwind and wisely chose not to set spinnakers in the challenging wind.
Thomas Schlick was physically present from late January to early February 2026 as the only journalist from Europe at the finish line arrivals at the Yacht Club of Rio de Janeiro.

The first vessel to cross the finish line off Rio de Janeiro was Vineta (JUDEL/VROLIJK 43 WB) under the German flag, skippered by Felix Scheder-Bieschin and crew, after 3,778.9 nautical miles. On corrected time, this meant second place in the overall standings.