Governors Cup presented for Cape to St Helena Race 2018/2019

Ivan Shamley holds the Waterman plaque (overall winner), Governor Lisa Honan presents the Governors Cup to John Levin (skipper of Indabo), and Ken Bosenberg holds an engraved platter awarded to those who help make the race a triumphant achievement © Vince Thompson

The winners in the various categories for the Cape to St Helena received their trophies from the Governor of St Helena, Her Excellency Lisa Honan. A special presentation evening at Plantation House, the Governor's official residence, was held last Friday, 11th January.

John Levin, owner and skipper of 'Indaba' a Van der Stadt 34 was the overall winner and winner in the monohull class. Together with his two crew, Ken Bosenburg and Ivan Shamley, John was presented with the Governors Cup and the Waterman Trophy. The final race times are calculated using a handicap system which puts all yachts, whether racers or cruisers, on an equal footing.

The first yacht across the finish line on actual time was Banjo, a Farrier F9AX trimaran. Skippered by Keith Webb with his crew, Brad Stemmett and Sarel Van Der Merwe, Banjo was presented with the Bellows Plate.

Several people were presented with engraved platters sponsored by the Royal Cape Yacht Club as a token of appreciation for the part they played in organisation the Cape to St Helena race. These included the Governor, John Levin in his role as chairman of the Cape to St Helena race committee, Helena Bennett Director of Tourism, Hannah Herne on behalf of the Herne family and Neil George and Monica Constantine as official timekeepers. Neil and Monica made sure other members of the Yacht Club - who spent many hours working at the club as the race yachts arrived came forward to be part of the presentation.

Royal Cape Yacht Club will organise the 2020 Cape to St Helena Race

John Levin announced at the Plantation House trophy presentation evening that the Royal Cape Yacht Club had been chosen to organise the next Cape to St Helena race in 2020. John, who is chairman of the race committee for the 2018 race, will not take on this leading role for the next race. John is 77 and is ready to pass the responsibility on to someone else.

He is very pleased to have finalised the arrangements for the 2020 race two years ahead. Certain aspects of the race organisation do take time to finalise, including finding the main sponsor for the event. Race entrants also say they need more time than was available for this race to make sure their yachts are maintained to peak racing condition. There is already plenty of enthusiasm for the next Cape to St Helena race in 2020 and hopes that it will be a bigger and better race.

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