Whether you fancy yourself a salty sea dog, or simply love watching yachts run before the wind from the harbour breakwater, it’s good news for the city that the iconic Cape to St. Helena Yacht Race returns in 2024.
Originally known as the Governor’s Cup – named for the governor in charge of this remote mid-Atlantic island – the race dates back to 1996. That’s when the former captain of the RMS St. Helena mail ship watched the fleet cross the start line of the Cape-to-Rio yacht race.
Inspired, Captain David Roberts imagined a similar race from Cape Town, long known as the ‘Tavern of the Seas’, to the remote British Overseas Territory of St. Helena, the British-owned island that his mail ship sailed to until 2018.
Roberts’ vision came to life in 1997 with the start of the first-ever Governor's Cup race, and since then it has become a cult classic on the annual sailing calendar, held every two years.
‘We’re excited to be part of this incredible event,’ says David Garrard, Vice-Commodore of the Royal Cape Yacht Club. ‘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.’
This year’s race will see a mixed fleet of sailing yachts tackle the 3060-kilometre journey across the South Atlantic, with entries closing on November 1, 2024 and the start date set for December 26, 2024.
‘This race is a great opportunity for St Helena. We're proud to be a part of this long-standing tradition, and it's a wonderful way to put St Helena in the spotlight,' says Matt Joshua, Head of Tourism for St. Helena.
Haven’t found your sea legs? No matter. You can still be on the quayside to welcome the winning yachts: from December 2024 to March 2025 Airlink will offer a weekly flight service from Cape Town direct to St Helena Island!
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