Cape to St Helena Race 2018/2019
by Vince Thompson 10 Jan 2019 21:44 GMT
26 December 2018 - 7 January 2019
The crew of the Indaba, overall winner of the Cape to St Helena Race 2018/2019 © Vince Thompson
The Overall Winner of The Governor's Cup
'Indaba', a 34 foot Van der Stadt, is the overall winner. Finish date Sunday 6th January 18:56:22. The 'Indaba' is also the winner in the monohull class.
John Levin, owner and skipper, was also chairman of the race committee for the Cape to St Helena race. While in St Helena he is discussing the future of the race and hoping to secure the organisation for the Royal Cape Yacht Club. John thinks the Cape to St Helena race could be developed to become bigger than the Cape to Rio race.
John's crew is Ken Bosenberg and Ivan Shamley.
Banjo takes Line Honours
'Banjo' was first across the finish line a Farrier F9AX, Banjo is a trimaran weighing just 2.5 tonnes including crew, stowed food and cooking equipment. The crew: Brad Stemmet (the chef responsible for amazing meals on the high seas), Kevin Webb (skipper) and Sarel van der Merwe (galley skivvy).
'Banjo' crossed the finish line on Saturday 5th January at 23:46:00, beating their previous time for the second successive time.
Winner in the Multihull Class
'Compromise' a du Toit yacht designed in Cape Town.
The crew had time to relax in the St Helena Yacht Club on Sunday after finishing the race on Saturday 5th January at 23:46:00. The skipper, Rob Newman, is the one in front in the photo. He started quenching his thirst before finding his land-legs.
A family story
The 'Carpe Diem' was crewed by the (St Helenian) Herne Family who also took along their two youngest children. They all completed a circumnavigation a year or so ago.
Also in the crew was Rob Winter who joined at Cape Town. He will be delivering one of the yachts in the race back to Cape Town.
At 21:43 and 40 seconds on Sunday 6th January the hooter sounds as the 'Carpe Diem' crosses the finish line. Eleven days, nine hours, forty-three minutes and forty seconds of racing came to an end.
New Year's Eve at Sea
The winds and swells did not stop the crews in the Cape to St Helena race mark the start of the New Year in suitable style. The messages from the crews made it clear no-one went hungry or thirsty.
As early as 28th December the crew of the 'Rocket' were concerned about the dwindling stock of rum they had remaining for the rest of the race. Other crews self-evidently planned things a bit better and made sure there were ample supplies in the stores for New Year's Eve.
The crew of 'Banjo' are blessed with a good cook. Their report on 31st December included, "Brad has made us some awesome meals - breakfast lunch and supper. Fried eggs on toast with onions and baked beans for breakfast, chicken wraps for lunch and spaghetti bolognaise for supper, followed by xmas pudding and custard." The menu for New Year's Eve was planned well ahead, "He is planning a three course meal tonight, including steak egg and chips, gem squash and salad."
'Carpe Diem' mentioned "Bottle of bubbly on ice" on New Year's Eve and "all feeling tired" on New Year's Day. 'Caribbean Soul' said they had a quiet night with rum on the New Year. On 'Naledi' they had a "nice New Year celebration with fantastic weather".
After reporting on New Year's Eve what they would be eating that night, the report from 'Banjo' on New Year's Day continued on the same theme. "We had a fantastic New Year's eve formal dinner (at the table) as the sun set. Went into the night in mild but pleasant conditions". Then, at 3:30am the crew on watch shouted "torn spinnaker" and suddenly it was back to reality.