Andrew Weir Yacht Management and the RMS St.Helena are once again organising the transportation of yachts and arranging berths for the competitors of the 2012 Governor’s Cup.
2012 Governor’s Cup - Andrew Weir Yacht Management and the RMS St.Helena provide support
The Governor’s Cup is a one-way handicap race between Cape Town and St. Helena held every two years, which is open to yachts of any size and growing in popularity every year. This year’s race will begin in Cape Town on Saturday 22nd December and while being a chase across the South Atlantic, the accent is on fun and camaraderie and once the destination has been reached, the competitors can enjoy an experience-filled stay on the rugged and beautiful island, St.Helena.
“Only a week after announcing the race details, we have thirteen yachts booked for the return trip to Cape Town on the RMS St Helena and we have a list of 33 confirmed or interested owners. Berths for yachts and passengers on the RMS are being taken up rapidly, so it looks as though this will be another great race to the little Island, considered to be the remotest on the planet” commented Billy Leisegang, Manager at The False Bay Yacht Club.
“Some yachts choose to continue their cruise to other destinations but the beauty of this race is that the rest of the sailors have a choice – either sail back to the Cape or return reclining in the comfort of a deckchair sipping cocktails on board the affordable, yet luxurious 7000 ton passenger/cargo ship, the RMS St. Helena” commented Daniel Taylor of Andrew Weir Yacht Management.
“Andrew Weir is the only shipping company who can arrange transport for yachts to and from St Helena itself, which can be arranged in both our London and Cape Town offices. Our Cape Town office manager Claude Amman skippered the winning entry in the 2006 Governor’s Cup, which was made up of crew members from the RMS St Helena. So we have direct experience of the race itself!” added Taylor.
Entries range from serious racing boats to cruising boats crewed by families and friends.
What makes the race unique is that families and supporters of the sailors can enjoy a trip to the island on the RMS St Helena, meet up with the contestants, have a fascinating holiday and then all return home on the RMS St. Helena – with the yacht on board as well!
Those family and supporters lucky enough to sail on the RMS St.Helena will experience a nautical Christmas on board the ship with The RMS is due back in Cape Town on Wednesday 16th January 2013.
