The 1700nm Cape to St Helena Race 2024. Starting on the 26th of December from Table Bay, Cape Town.
26/06/2024
šāµļø 6 Months to Go Until the Cape to St Helena Yacht Race! āµļøš
We're halfway there, sailors! In just 6 months, the iconic Cape to St Helena Yacht Race sets sail once again. Get ready to race in the stunning South Atlantic waters!
St Helena Tourism
South African Sailing - SAS
St Helena Yacht Club
ORC South Africa
Royal Cape Yacht Club
False Bay Yacht Club
22/04/2024
Entry #5 - TinTin - Di Hutton-Squire
Tintin is the current holder of the Governorās Cup as ORC handicap winner of the last edition of the Cape to St. Helena Race 2022.
Tintin is a JPK 10.10 {hence the name Tintin!!}, a French boat built in Lorient, Brittany in 2016 and imported into South Africa at the end of that year. JPK 10.10 boats are famous for winning many of the big regattas of the world.
It was a huge surprise to win the race as the goal was merely to finish! It was Di Hutton-Squireās first Ocean passage Race, and first as skipper, so this was a most fulfilling result. We had a fully dedicated crew who put their all into getting us there as fast as possible. Nick Leggatt, our Navigator, took us on exactly the right course because he has been to St. Helena so many times. The winds were very strong and favourable. It took 4 months of preparation, in terms of the boat and paperwork, including registration for foreign passages.
The destination of St. Helena is well worth the trip, as Islands usually are, being completely unique. Not only a beautiful island but a fascinating history and very friendly inhabitants.
Good Preparation is essential for success, so we are starting this much earlier than last time. Our boat has not much in the way of luxuries so the quicker we get there the better! But we will take some food and water!
This year Di is joined by Nick Leggatt again who is a seaman and Navigator of note. So watch this space for announcement of additional talented crew members!
So the game is on!!
Royal Cape Yacht Club
St Helena Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
Mantis St Helena
ORC South Africa
South African Sailing - SAS
18/04/2024
Entry #4 - Anastasia - Mike Metelerkamp
THE BOAT
Anastasia is a Lavranos 39 Ā¾ keel cruising vessel. Her hull, deck & bulkheads were laid down by Ton Cup in the mid 1980ās, and she was shipped to Johannesburg. There she remained uncompleted until 1998, when Hans Meyer bought her and over the next 3 years of dedicated work by Hans & his family, was transformed into a spacious, comfortable cruiser & launched on the Vaal Dam on 2002.
Upon retiring in 2012 Hans moved to Cape Town, and Anastasia relocated to Royal Cape Yacht Club, where in 2017 she was bought by Mike Metelerkamp with a view to blue water cruising and fitted out for this. In addition to a full compliment of navigational and safety gear, she is fitted with watermaker, hot water system, fridge & freezer, and a good oven, so is a very comfortable boat to live and cross oceans on. She competed in the last Cape to St Helena Race, and is eagerly waiting to do the 2024 event.
THE CREW
Anastasia will be skippered by owner Mike Metelerkamp with crew Gavin Bingham, Paddy Pirow, Deon Coetzer, as well as Mikeās son Matthew (who will turn 15 8 days before the start) and Deonās son Morne (who will turn 14 just after we get back).
Mike is a retired IT businessman who now spends most of his time messing around with boats. He sailed Mirror dinghies as a boy, graduating to keelboats in high school. His 20ās were spent sailing boards, and he returned to keelboats in the late 1980ās. Having sailed other peoples boats most of his life, he finally took the plunge and bought his own toys!
Gavin is a retired Ophthalmologist who took up sailing after many years of flying with a view to doing some ocean cruising. He was part of the 2022 St Helena crew on Anastasia and is a regular sailor with us in Cape Town.
Paddy is also retired from a marketing and branding background. He lectures part time to keep himself out of trouble, but is does not seem to work as he recently bought a boat too! He is now the proud owner of Neutron, an Astove 30. We found Paddy abandoned and hitchhiking on St Helena Island after the last race, and he joined us for the return sail, proving to be a great crewmate.
Deon, Sales Manager of Seaport Supply, is an old hand at offshore sailing. Deon competed in the last St Helena Race on Serendipity. He is also an experienced angler, so we are hoping for daily sushi!
Matthew is a Grade 9 at Pinelands High School, and this will be his first ocean crossing. His longest trip to date has been from Knysna to Cape Town, and he is really excited to be doing this. He turns 15 a few days before the start, and what a great way to celebrate!
Morne is a Grade 8 pupil at Durbanville Hoerskool, and turns 14 a couple of months before the race. He has done some sailing on his Dadās Holiday 23 as well as a few trips on Anastasia, but this will be his first ocean crossing too.
The boys and Deon will fly home after the race, and Mike, Gavin & Paddy will sail Anastasia home, as we did last time.
THE MISSION
While we like to sail Anastasia to the best of her (and our) abilities, we think of ourselves as āCompetitive Cruisersā rather than out and out racers, and would like to encourage any of the other RCYC Cruisers who have an interest to give serious consideration to entering the Cape to St Helena race this year. It is a fantastic sail, a wonderful island, and an all round awesome event! Anyone who is thinking of doing it and wants to chat, please contact me.
Mike Metelerkamp
Anastasia
Royal Cape Yacht Club
Mantis St Helena
St Helena Yacht Club
South African Sailing
St Helena Tourism
15/04/2024
Entry #3 - Shiprek - Henry McLachlan
Shiprek is a Beneteau First 375 launched in 1986. Was imported from France and is in third ownership. Yacht was acquired from Richard Crockett [Editor & Publisher of SA Sailing] in 2016 and underwent a complete refit in 2020. Crew for the race will be myself [owner/skipper], Johan Adler [co-skipper], Ben de Wet [navigator] & Wilhelm Kruger [tactician/cook]. Johan and I have both visited the island twice before, but it will be a first for the rest of the crew. I participated in the 2004 race on an Ocean 31 and is looking forward to do it in slightly more comfort this time. The crew has no intention to race hard and the trip is mostly seen as a tick on the bucket list. Just as a matter of interest, the yacht is named after a drink [rum with very little coke] that was served at Donnyās Bar on the island and the memory is still vivid of consuming large amounts of āshiprekāsā during the last stay on the island. The āshiprekā was also subsequently introduced to RCYC and is now a drink well known to all bar tenders and waitresses.
St Helena Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
Royal Cape Town Yacht Club
South African Sailing - SAS
ORC South Africa
Mantis St Helena
12/04/2024
Recently Dan Nicholl spent a few days on St Helena Island, taking in the sights and enjoying the warm hospitality of the Islanders.
Below are 5 recommendations from him on what to do whilst on Saint Helena.
Breathtaking views from the highest peaks, inviting waters, 100% quaintness, and traditional cuisine make the island one of the most interesting destinations to explore.
The next time we entered was the challenging 2010 race in my boat, Reaction (a RCOD). The crew was me and my two sons, now aged 19 and 17 and we were also joined by Charl Cilliers. The start of this race was out of Simons Town. The first night was a tough one with quite a few boats retiring due to an extremely powerful South Easter. Unfortunately, the rudder of Reaction broke approximately 70 miles NW of Saldanha, with just the rudder stock remaining in place. With no rudder (and no engine) we struggled back to Club Mykonos, having to employ every bit of our sailing skills. There, Jannie and Andrew of Tree Tops Marine came to our rescue and built and fitted a new rudder for us in 24 hours and we were off again! Having lost about three days, we tried our best to catch up and finished in the middle of the fleet.
This time the goal is to take it easy, eat decent food, and even do some fishing. I just canāt promise that our familyās competitive spirit wonāt kick in again when the gun goes off!
We canāt wait!
Royal Cape Yacht Club
St Helena Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
Mantis St Helena
South African Sailing
ORC South Africa
08/04/2024
ENTRY #1 -Be-Witched - Dave Garrard
A Simonis design āFast 42ā sloop, entering her first Cape to St Helena in 2024.
Be-Witched was acquired in December 2018, after sailing an L-34 for 10 years beforehand.
Final crew still to be confirmed, however, this will include a father & son duo sailing in their first major offshore event.
While both have been keen racing sailors, the allure to sail in this offshore race is the culmination of a long-time wish list.
Skipper & owner has sailed in 2 Vasco races as crew, and number of local medium distance races around South Africa coastline ā Participation in the race to St Helena is eagerly anticipated.
Son Steven, a marine engineer by profession, is no stranger to the ādeep blueā, but this will be his first under sail.
Final crew is anticipated to include other regular Be-Witched crew with experience of past Cape to Rio races.
We are all keenly looking forward to being on the start line on 26 December 2024.
South African Sailing - SAS
ORC South Africa
Royal Cape Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
St Helena Yacht Club
03/04/2024
PRESS RELEASE:
9 Months to go: St Helena gears up for iconic Cape to St Helena Yacht Race
JAMESTOWN, ST HELENA (March 27, 2024) ā Just nine months remain until the starting gun fires for the iconic Cape to St Helena Yacht Race. Competitors have until 1 November to enter the challenging 1,700 nautical mile (3,060km) journey across the South Atlantic, with the race set to start on 26 December. This event offers a unique challenge and the allure of reaching one of the world's most remote inhabited islands.
The Cape to St Helena Yacht Race, originally known as the Governor's Cup, has a rich history dating back to 1996. Inspired by the Cape to Rio fleet in 1996, former RMS St Helena Captain David Roberts envisioned a race to the remote British Overseas Territory. His vision blossomed into the first Governor's Cup race later that same year.
The first race in 1996 attracted 13 entries, with the second edition in 1998 securing a record 22 entries. While the 2020 race was postponed due to the pandemic, the successful 2022 event heightened anticipation for the upcoming race.
Today, the race is a captivating blend of fierce competition and camaraderie. The 2022 race saw yachts battling intense weather, enduring heavy rains, high winds, and turbulent seas. Despite the challenges, the shared experience forged bonds between racers.
David Garrard, Vice-Commodore of the Royal Cape Yacht Club, says: āWeāre excited to being part of this incredible event. And with just nine months to go, we are working closely with St Helena Tourism to stage this iconic yacht race. We look forward to a good fleet and sharing this tremendous event with the world.ā
St Helena Tourism | St Helena Independent News | South African Sailing - SAS | fans
26/12/2023
š£ With exactly ONE YEAR TO GO, we are pleased to share exciting news for Cape to St Helena Race Participants! š£
The St Helena Government has partnered with MACS Shipping!
In an exciting development for maritime enthusiasts, MACS Shipping has forged a groundbreaking partnership with the St Helena Government (SHG). We are confident that this strategic collaboration will streamline and enhance the prospect of return shipping for yachts participating. This collaborative effort not only underscores the commitment to fostering maritime events but also encourages a surge in entries, making the Cape to St Helena Race an even more enticing prospect for sailors and yacht enthusiasts worldwide.
After a thorough 12-month search, MACS emerged as the perfect fit. With a solid five-year term (and an option for five more), this partnership ensures reliable shipping services for the long haul. Minister Mark Brooks expresses confidence in this collaboration, emphasizing its vital role in supporting St Helena Island.
MACS response has been reported as āWe all at MACS are very grateful for having been awarded this contract which has a long-standing tradition which comes with big responsibility. We look forward to close cooperation with SHG, contractors on the Island, and its community with the aim of achieving the best possible result for allā
Read the full press release from the St Helena Government below
šhttps://mcusercontent.com/373cbe80775b46627542a0a50/files/53f7b0b4-9c40-f7ae-d626-58d949aad976/St_Helena_Shipping_Press_Release.pdf
St Helena Yacht Club | Mantis St Helena | St Helena Tourism | St Helena Independent News | The Saint from St Helena
30/11/2023
Are you considering entering the Cape to St Helena Race? With just 392 days until the cannon is fired to signal the start of the 2024 edition.
We are sure this video will definitely pique your interest, secure your crew and submit your entry. The island certainly is a "Breath of Fresh Air."
Royal Cape Yacht Club
Mantis St Helena
St Helena Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
28/10/2023
A massive congratulations to Cape to St Helena winner Di Hutton-Squire with Team Tintin crew Nick Leggatt, Graham Stuart and Alexander Botha for winning WC Team of the Year at the Western Cape Provincial Sports Awards on Saturday evening! šš
We had a chat to Di and she shared with us the process from Overberg Sport Awards, to Provincial Sport awards, and now onto the final round in Sun City next year!
"My nomination by to Overberg Sports was put forward by Theewaters Sports Club. I understand that sailing in the Overberg is principally TSC and Hermanus YC. It was motivated by my winning of the Governorās Cup by winning the Cape to St. Helena Race in January 2023.
On Friday 15th October the Award ceremony took place at a dinner at Houw Hoek Inn. I was nominated in the categories of Sportswoman of the Year and Team of the Year. I did not win the Sportswoman of the Year but I did win the Team of the Year which enabled me to be invited to the Provincial 2nd round at Sun Hotel in Cape Town. This was a more formal event with more nominations from other federations. There were about 350 In my category for Team of the Year there were 9 nominations from all the major sports like rugby, soccer, hockey, ladies cricket etc. I thought one of those would surely win and was delighted to hear āTeam Tintinā win the Team of the Year 2023.
The final round will be at Sun City in February. The best 3 nominations from the 9 Provinces will be invited to participate in each category. So we wait and see whether this goes further.
But I expected Sailing to be represented from Cape town along with the other Cape Town sports as well as Overberg and the other areas, but there unfortunately was non."
Good luck for your next round, we support you the whole way Team Tintin!
Royal Cape Yacht Club
South African Sailing - SAS
26/08/2023
Cape to St Helena Race 2024
RCYC in association with St Helena Tourism, is excited to announce the official launch of the 2024 edition of the Cape to St Helena yacht race.
The race will start at 14h00 on Thursday, 26th December.
This blue-water classic is looking to attract a competitive fleet of yachts to take part in this downwind classic to visit the iconic island.
With a rhum-line distance of approx. 1,700 nautical miles of trade wind sailing, the 2024 event is expected to attract a number of new entrants as well as other seasoned competitors and race winners of past events.
The 2024 event notice board is live at www.capetosthelena.co.za with the notice of race any entry forms posted.
All new notices and updates will be added to the notice board and included on the physical notice board at RCYC, Duncan Road, Table Bay.
We invite all potential entrants to download the entry forms and register their interest in this classic event.
Details concerning potential shipping arrangements, flights and any potential sponsorships will be shared as soon as firm details are available.
We appreciate that these key issues will be critical to potential entrants planning.
Iām looking forward to joining you all in this iconic race in December 2024 ā¦
Dave Garrard
Race Chairman (2024 Cape to St Helena race)
St Helena Tourism
St Helena Yacht Club
Mantis St Helena
29/03/2023
Team Sulanga, a Mumby 49 Catamaran skippered by Klaus Wiswedel, put together a gripping video of their adventure on the Cape to St Helena Yacht Race.
Please see a short snippet of their sail in the video attached and see below the link for a longer video showing even more incredible footage of their sail as well as beautiful imagery of the Island itself.
Thank you to everyone that has shared these incredible moments with us, we love sharing them with others.
Royal Cape Yacht Club
St Helena Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
South African Sailing - SAS
16/03/2023
āTalking Sailingā From My Archives. 2000 Governorās Cup
by Richard Crockett
The more I dig into this event the more I realise that it needs to be fully documented and researched due to the many different guises under which it has been raced.
The race in December 2000 appears to have been aimed at making it a family affair with the yachties in the family racing and the landlubbers travelling on the āRMS St Helenaā to the island where they would meet up and enjoy Christmas together. What a good plan!
20 yachts competed in what was an unusual race as reported here: āRated among Rated among the most unusual events on the international racing calendar, the 1700-nautical mile downwind race is a multi-faceted event which includes the ocean race, a week or two exploring St Helena, and the option of having one's yacht hoisted onto the decks of the stately passenger ship, the āRMS St Helenaā, for a return Christmas cruise to the Mother City.
The race was won by āGladeyeā, and Oyster 37 crewed by members of the elite British Household Cavalry Regiment.
Line honours went to āBeluga Monarch Assuranceā, skippered by British BT round the world sailor Paul Bennet. They won in record time by smashing the 1996 record by just under 21 hours.
READ 2 REPORTS HERE:
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15/03/2023
āTalking Sailingāfrom My Archives. St Helena Race Perplexing!
By Richard Crockett
In the CASA (Cruising Association of South Africa) news bulletin of March 1986 Bill Rabinowitz, the CASA scribe, wrote the following:
Readers may well be a little perplexed: First there was the Southstar, then the Mariners' Wharf Challenge and now the Stannic Southstar. Quite a little story could be written about the organisation of this race.
He was absolutely correct, as researching info on this race is like trying to find henās teeth! Various sponsors names are one issue, but the mere fact that the 1991 race which had Barracuda as a sponsor, was cancelled, does not help matters at all.
And then the name changed to the Governorās Cup for the 2002 race.
This race needs a lot of time spent researching it properly to document the full history, names changes and more. One day....!
So without further ado I will today share 3 reports on the build up to the race, and the race itself.
READ 3 REPORTS HERE:
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06/02/2023
Homeward bound .... excited to say the last of the Cape to St Helena fleet are due to dock this coming weekend in Cape Town onboard MV Helena.
Thank you What The Saints Did Next for the photo.
St Helena Tourism
St Helena Yacht Club
14/01/2023
Congratulations to all participants of the 2022 race.
Tintin the overall ORC Winners, lifting the Govenors Cup as well as winning 2 SA Airlink tickets.
Thank you to the St Helena Govenor, St Helena Tourism and St Helena Yacht Club for all your dedication and hard work with this event.
13/01/2023
Final Results of the Cape to St Helena 2022
Line Honours
1st - Banjo, Kevin Webb
2nd - Tintin, Diane Hutton Squire
3rd - Kia Paarl FOMO, Dale Kushner
ORC
1st - Tintin, Diane Hutton Squire
2nd - Kia Paarl FOMO, Dale Kushner
3rd - Anastasia, Mike Metelerkamp
TEXEL
1st - Compromise, Rob Newman
2nd - Banjo, Kevin Webb
3rd - Sulanga, Klaus Wiswedal
Congratulations to all competitors sailing the race!
You all have done incredibly well and we hope to see you for the next edition soon
Royal Cape Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
St Helena Yacht Club
13/01/2023
Cape to St Helena crews are dusting off their suits and frocks for the Prize-giving Ceremony at His Excellency Governor Nigel Phillips and Mrs Emma Phillips attendance tonight - The Plantation House, in which they all received beautiful invitations for.
Enjoy teams, we look forward to hearing lovely stories about your time there
Royal Cape Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
St Helena Yacht Club
11/01/2023
TENTH ACCROSS THE LINE
Skippered by - Wil Neethling
Finishing time - 13:09:15 SAST
Wil Neethling, a game and peach farmer, having lived in the Bushveld his whole life, decided that it is time to buy a boat and brave the unknown.
Wil bought Unwind early 2022 and started doing his sailing courses with the aim of circumnavigating the globe with his family. They are planning to take three years off for this adventure.
Skippered by Will, and crewed by wife Jeanette, daughter Marinette and son Pedri and more experienced sailing friends Nicholas Moss and Jodi Geldenhuys.
Congratulations team!
Thank you for the lovely stories that we enjoyed reading about your adventure and we hope to read even more about your future expeditions soon.
Royal Cape Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
St Helena Yacht Club
09/01/2023
NINTH OVER THE LINE
Sulanga - Klaus Wiswedel
Finishing Time - 20:00:15
Sulanga is a 48-foot Aluminium cat build in the Philippines by the Australian boat builder Tim Mumby.
She was brought by Klaus Wiswedel and the previous Owner from Borneo via Rodrigues to Cape Town at the end of 2019 to be ready for the 2020 Cape to Rio race in which she took part successfully.
Klaus, is not a newcomer to the St. Helena race having won the cruising class in 2015 on his Monohull āAvantiā.
On-board is owner Klaus, and crewed by Sunethra, Dewald Nel, Geoffrey Jackson, and Patrick Pirow.
Well done team! You have done incredibly!
Only two more yachts to arrive in St Helena now - Unwind and Suidoos 2
Royal Cape Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
St Helena Yacht Club
09/01/2023
Sundowners news
Unwind
Good evening All
Todays update from Unwind. Life onboard has slowed down quite significantly with the lighter sailing conditions we have being experiencing. We have managed to maintain a boat speed of between 3-4 knts, pretty impressive given the wind speed is between 8-10 knts. The weather forecast shows one more night of light winds before the wind starts filling in and returning to normal. The sea has flattened out and life onboard has become comfortable and relaxed despite frustrations from the odd flogging sails. Night watch has been a treat with the clear skies and bright full moon. The galley has continued to turn out some amazing meals, and we may have gotten stuck into Wils wine collection. Pedri has his lines out, hoping to catch dinner as we close in on the island. Jeanette and Jodi have been comparing bruises from the aftermath of the rough start.
We have around 180nm to go and thanks to our ārace momā Kerry for her encouraging words, itās just what the crew needed to hear this morning. We are in it till the end albeit crawling to the island!
St Helena Tourism
St Helena Yacht Club
Cape Yacht Club
09/01/2023
EIGHTH OVER THE LINE!
Serendipity - Geoff Genricks
Finishing time - 15:58:38 SAT 9 January
An Elan Sailing Yacht based in Simonstown. Owned and skippered by Geoff Genricks, crewed by Bruce Phillips, Deon Coetzer, and Michael Wessels
Well done team!
Royal Cape Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
St Helena Yacht Club
09/01/2023
SEVENTH OVER THE LINE!
Anastasia - skippered by Mike Metelerkamp
2022 Provisional Third ORC & Seventh over the line
Finishing time - 11:22:42 SAT 9 January
Anastasia is a Lavranos 39 cruising sloop completed by Hans Mayer in 2002 and launched on the Vaal dam. She moved to Cape Town in 2012 on Hansās retirement, and was bought by Mike Metelerkamp in 2017.
This was her first long ocean passage, and she sailed honourably!
Skippered by Mike, and crewed by Ivan Shamley, Gavin Bingham, Chad Calvert and Roger James.
They will be sailing her back to Cape Town after the prize giving.
Well done Gents!
Royal Cape Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
St Helena Yacht Club
09/01/2023
News from the fleet
Suidoos II
So near by so far. Luckily the wind filled in last night. Some real food is needed, feel like chicken. Can you please stop moving the island.
Sulanga
Very slow going at the moment with about 5 kn of wind. Hoped to get to the finishing line before Anastasia. Donāt think we will make it. šŖ we still have about 40 nm to go. Gained 10 nm to Anastasia over night but just not good enough.
There were some promising clouds but they have dissipated now
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Videos
Are you considering entering the Cape to St Helena Race? With just 392 days until the cannon is fired to signal the start of the 2024 edition.
We are sure this video will definitely pique your interest, secure your crew and submit your entry. The island certainly is a "Breath of Fresh Air."
All race documents can be found on the Cape to St Helena website
https://rcyc.co.za/capetosthelena/
Royal Cape Yacht Club
Mantis St Helena
St Helena Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
Team Sulanga, a Mumby 49 Catamaran skippered by Klaus Wiswedel, put together a gripping video of their adventure on the Cape to St Helena Yacht Race.
Please see a short snippet of their sail in the video attached and see below the link for a longer video showing even more incredible footage of their sail as well as beautiful imagery of the Island itself.
šhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjsbuanQkp0
Thank you to everyone that has shared these incredible moments with us, we love sharing them with others.
Royal Cape Yacht Club
St Helena Yacht Club
St Helena Tourism
South African Sailing - SAS
While we await the first set of reports from our fleet, we would like to entertain you with a short video of Commodore Neil Gregory firing the cannon to start the 2022 edition of the Cape to St Helena Race.
Don't forget you can track our fleet on the YB app by clicking the link below, or downloading the app on your play/app store and selecting CapetoStHelena race
šhttps://yb.tl/c2sthelena22
Royal Cape Yacht Club
The race was conceived by former Captain of the RMS St Helena, Captain David Roberts, after he watched the Cape to Rio fleet sail through Duncan Dock to Table Bay from the Royal Cape Yacht Club in January 1996. He was quoted on the occasion of the first race for The Governorās Cup later that year:
āWhat could be more romantic and exciting than watching this colourful fleet sail out to the start, impatient for the gun to sound so they could be off and racing for their exotic destination. All this, staged in the amphitheater of Table Bay with its majestic mountain. Truly inspirational. Well, on this occasion it proved to be, because in the hour that I stood on the bridge-wing of my ship, safely tied up alongside Duncan Dock, the idea began to form of just such a race, but this time to the Island of St Helena.ā
By 11th January, when the RMS St Helena arrived at Jamestown, he had formed a firm idea of how the event might be organised, which he outlined to then Governor David Smallman. As a sailor himself Governor Smallman was enthusiastic and suggested that, given that there was an Admiralās Cup yacht race, then perhaps we might call the Cape to St Helena race āThe Governorās Cup Raceā.
A presentation was made to the Committee and interested members of the Royal Cape Yacht Club in June that year and the Governorās Discretionary Fund was able to finance the purchase of the trophy. Later, Governor Smallman was able to arrange that Steve Tshwete, the South African Government Minister for Sport, attend an official reception and lunch on the Sun Deck on the RMS, and Steve Tshwete started that first race out in Table Bay by sounding the shipās siren.
Since inception, the race has been run every 2 years with the exception of 2016.