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Debut for Historic Zeeslang
Marking its return to yacht racing, the historic Zeeslang will be participating in the 2010 Governor’s Cup that kicks off on 01 December – for the first time that the bi-annual race will start at the False Bay Yacht Club in Simons Town and ends at James Bay on St. Helena Island. It includes the added thrill of rounding the beautiful but dangerous Cape Point.
Sponsored by Jägermeister, skipper, Ian Slatem along with Michael Baumann, owner and co-skipper of the Zeeslang, will race in the 1700 mile, usually downwind, yacht race.
Entries range from racing to cruising boats crewed by families and friends. Although this handicap race, that is open to yachts of any size, is a chase across the South Atlantic, the accent is on fun and camaraderie. “We are confident that we will complete the race with great success as Jan has many years of professional sailing experience. This is combined with the fact that the yacht has undergone a complete refit and revamp in 2005 and 2010 respectively,” says Michael Baumann, entrepreneur and professional pilot.
The race is completed with a prize giving and cocktail party at the Governor’s residence on St Helena Island. Thereafter “yachties” will continue their cruise to other destinations or sail back to the Cape on board the 7000ton passenger and cargo ship, the RMS St. Helena.
The Zeeslang was designed and built in 1958 at Van de Stadt, Holland and is the archetype for the larger Royal Cape One-Design (RCOD). Made of plywood while the mast is made of spruce, the groundbreaking design, far ahead of its time, has pushed the boundaries of light displacement.
The Zeeslang participated in various offshore races, some of which are the 1958 Dassen Island Race and the 1960-67 Agulhas Races. It has therefore been featured in various media such as Die Yacht, Germany, from 1957 until 1963, Yachting World and the more recent Sailing, South Africa during 2005 and 2006, to name but a few.
About the race
This race first took place in 1996 and has since been held every two years. It is organised by the False Bay Yacht Club in conjunction with St Helena Yacht Club and is supported by the SA Navy, the Governor of St. Helena, and the community of Simons Town.
Your can track and follow the movements of the Zeeslang and other yachts participating in the Governor’s Cup on the website www.thegovernorscup.co.za.
