The International Association of Cape Horners has announced that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, is to become its new Patron.
The Princess, a life-long sailor, follows in her late father’s footsteps. HRH Prince Philip was Patron of the Association for almost five decades until his death in 2021, and played a key role in persuading the membership – made up of sea captains from the age of sail – to welcome a new generation of adventure sailors to their group. His active role in acknowledging the pioneering roles of Francis Chichester, Alec Rose, Robin Knox-Johnston, Bernard Moitessier and Chay Blyth in making what many at the time thought were impossible voyages around the Globe in small yachts, re-energised the Association just as other Cape Horner groups withered through dying membership.
His Royal Highness, who was also Admiral of the Royal Naval Sailing Association which oganised the first Whitbread Round the World Race for fully crewed yachts in 1973/4, went further, commissioning the Royal Mint to strike a commemorative bronze medal for every crew member who completed the third leg round Cape Horn in that race.
The Princess Royal joins IACH during another period of sea change. The 21st Century is already marked by an increase in sailing adventures, circumnavigations and interest from the public across the world in events like the Vendée Globe, Golden Globe and Global Solo races together with the Ocean, Ocean Globe and Jules Verne multi-crew events. There is also a marked increase in sailing tourism to remote high latitude destinations, particularly Cape Horn.
“The Association is growing at a fast rate with 33 new members generated from this year’s Vendée Globe Race alone,” says Chairman Archie Fairley. “We already maintain a definitive list of circumnavigations both solo and multi-crewed, and four years ago launched our annual Cape Horn Hall of Fame awards to honour those who have made major contributions to our sport. There is more to do, and the International Association of Cape Horners welcomes the leadership and contributions that HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne’s patronage now brings.”
