Pirate Depp might visit SA

2005-03-21 23:31

Eben Human

Cape Town - American actor Johnny Depp could touch down in Cape Town later this year when the yacht Pirates of the Caribbean II docks at the Waterfront.

This yacht is the latest entry in the Volvo Round the World Race. The first leg kicks off on November 12 in Vigo, Spain, and ends 6 400 nautical miles further in Table Bay, where the participants will spend Christmas.

The arrival of the Hollywood yacht in Table Bay has great advantages for South Africa and Cape Town.

The Volvo participants will leave on January 2 for Melbourne, Australia, on the second leg.

The participation of the Pirates of the Caribbean II became a reality following a marketing agreement between The Walt Disney Company and Volvo.

The organisers of the world sailing expedition stand to profit greatly from the agreement. With the typical pirates' skull and crossbones as emblem on the yacht, the American entry will draw lots of attention.

Hollywood's involvement with the sport of sailing on an international level is another great bonus for the sport.

Locally it could also benefit South African yacht Shosholoza, which represents the country in the battle for the America's Cup. The new Shosholoza will be launched in April and will participate in the first of three Louis Vuitton regattas in Valencia, Spain, in June.

"The excitement and intrigue this entry brings to the race will take us to a whole new level of exposure," said Glenn Bourke, chief operating officer of the Volvo Round the World Race, on Monday.

The sequel to Pirates of the Caribbean, called Dead Man's Chest, is currently being filmed in Los Angeles and the Caribbean islands. The movie is expected to be released in July 2006.

The hope has been expressed that Depp could be convinced to join one of the legs of the world race. But even if he doesn't arrive on a yacht in December, he might still visit Cape Town to promote his new pirate movie.

- Die Burger