RMS St Helena – one of the world’s last operating Royal Mail Ships – is now in St Helena awaiting the first arrivals of yachts racing in Governor’s Cup Yacht Race.
It is one of the world’s most unusual sailing races. Taking place every two years, the route covers some 1,700 miles from Cape Town to St Helena.
This year the race departed on 22 December from False Bay Yacht Club in Simon’s Town, South Africa, with the competing yachts arriving in Jamestown, St Helena in early January
The ship, which shadowed the fleet all the way from Simon’s Town with family and friends of those in the race on board, will transport many of the competing yachts back to Simon’s Town once the race is over.
Billy Leisegang, the principal race officer, who made the voyage on the ship, commented from St Helena this morning.
“There is a tremendous atmosphere on the island at the moment. Everyone is so excited about the arrival of the yachts. At this stage we are not exactly sure of the ETA of the first finishers but we are guessing the first boats will arrive late on 1 January or early morning on 2 January.
The good news is, there is a strong wind here so it’s a good sign it will be a very fast finish, and they may even arrive sooner than predicted.”