The Cape to St Helena Yacht Race is a 1,700 nautical mile (3,060km) race that attracts all sorts of sailors, from the hard racers to those simply seeking adventure.

Originally known as the Governor’s Cup, the race launched in 1996 and is usually held every other year; however, the 2020 race was cancelled due to the pandemic, meaning that the 2022 race was the first since 2018.

In the 2022 Cape to St Helena race, 12 competitors battled their way across the Atlantic Ocean, from South Africa to the remote British Overseas Territory of St Helena Island.

Competitors departed Cape Town on the afternoon of 29 December, when Commodore Neil Gregory fired the cannon promptly at 14h00 to signal the start of the race.

The fleet endured extreme weather patterns, strong winds, rain squalls and lumpy seas. The conditions made for entertaining daily reports, describing flying fish on deck, Christmas trees of oilies around the mast, and snacks-bartering to sit night watches. Unfortunately one team sustained electronic damage and had to divert into Luderitz, Namibia – leaving the other 11 participants racing to the finish line.

The first three boats arrived in St Helena with haste, one after the other, from 6 January. Kevin Webb’s Banjo took line honours, while a dash for second place resulted in Di Hutton-Squire of Tintin taking second and Dale Kushner of Kia Paarl Fomo taking third. This dash was followed by another incredible finish – after racing for almost exactly nine days, Rocket (4^th place) and Compromise (5^th place)  finished with only 5 minutes between them, proving that the race is never over until you cross the finish line. Naledi, the team with the lowest average crew age –(Anna celebrated her 12^th birthday onboard on 2 January) was the sixth boat over the line. Anastasia was 7^th, Serendipity 8^th, Sulunga 9^th, Unwind 10^th and Suidoos 2  11^th.

The event organisers extended a ‘thank you’ to Airlink, the event partner and official air carrier between South Africa (JNB) and St Helena (HLE), for providing the prize for the ‘Overall Winner of the Cape to St Helena Race 2022’ – two Airlink tickets to any destination. Congratulations to Tintin on winning this incredible prize, and the race organisers look forward already to the next event.