The 2023 Governor’s Cup took place on Sunday, April 30, 2023, with seven boats competing across two classes. Photo: RBVIYC/Facebook

Governor John J. Rankin, CMG is flanked by Libertas skipper Kevin Wrigley (left) and Trike's skipper Sam Talbot (right). Photo: RBVIYC/Facebook

Ting a Ling crew skippered by Nathan Haycraft finished in 2nd place in the multihull class Photo: RBVIYC/TRand/Facebook

Race 1 was started off Nanny Cay with a leg up the channel to round Deadchest to starboard and then finish in Deadman’s Bay. After a raft up for a lunch break and swim to cool off, race 2 took the fleets back the way they came, leaving Deadchest to port, reaching across to Hog Valley Green and then finishing off the Yacht Club balcony at the entrance to Road Harbour.

Libertas sneak past WannaB

The two monohulls, Libertas skippered by Kevin Wrigley and Alex England’s WannaB were away first and sailed a close race up to the final moments.

Leading around Deadchest and into the final leg, an unfortunate kite wrap for WannaB enabled Libertas to sneak past the and claim line honours by just 10 seconds.

Triple Jack on top!

In the multihull fleet, it was no surprise to see the largest of the five trimarans, Triple Jack, appear first around Deadchest, pop their kite and head down to the finish.

Hot on their heels were Trike and finishing just 2 and half minutes later was enough to take the race win on corrected time.

Third place in race 1 went to Gilbo Simpson and the Flying Pig team.

Libertas make in 2 out of 2!

Race 2 got underway at 13:20 for the monohulls and it would be a winner takes all race. Choosing opposite ends of the startline, it was Libertas who nailed their tactics up the short beat and stretched away as they sailed past Deadchest and headed back across the channel to Tortola. 

With two race wins Libertas was the overall winner and with His Excellency Governor John J. Rankin, CMG joining the crew it was the perfect day for his first VI yacht race!

Trike the overall trimaran winner 

With two race wins, Sam Talbot and his team aboard Trike took the overall win in the trimaran fleet whilst the rest of the pack switched around to finish the day with two ties. As per the Racing Rules, it is the final race that is used to break the tie so the second race was crucial

The start for the trimaran fleet produced some exciting moments as the fleet bunched together at the committee boat end.

The Flying Pig found themselves pushed out and a subsequent late start was impossible for them to fight back from.

Finishing in 5th place they ended their day tied on points with Whoop Whoop. A better race from the bright orange tri gave them a 3rd place in the race and 4th overall.

The battle for second and third also came down to the position in the last race as a second place for Nathan Hacyraft on Ting a Ling tied them with Richard Wooldridge’s Triple Jack who finished fourth. This meant a second overall for Ting a Ling and third for Triple Jack.

Governor Rankin presented the beautiful Governor’s Cup trophy, first presented in 1997 when it was donated by then Governor David Mackilligin.