Princess Anne of England becomes godmother of the Cape Horners.

Princess Anne of England last March 18 agreed to become the new godmother of the association that brings together the so-called “Cap Horniers,” professional skippers who have rounded the legendary Cape Horn.

The International Association of Cape Horners (IACH) last March 18 announced that Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne of England, has agreed to become the new patroness of the body, which as it is known brings together the so-called “Cap Horniers,” i.e., professional skippers who have rounded the legendary Cape Horn during a non-stop passage of at least 3,000 miles.

Princess Anne follows in the footsteps of his father, Prince Philip

A lifelong sailor, Princess Anne thus follows in the footsteps of her father, Prince Philip, who was patron of the Association for nearly five decades until his death in 2021. Throughout all these years, Prince Philip himself played a key role within the body both in welcoming a new generation of globetrotting sailors and in recognizing the pioneering talents of a number of outstanding sailors, such as Francis Chichester, Alec Rose, Robin Knox-Johnston, Bernard Moitessier, and Chay Blyth, in making what at the time many considered impossible voyages around the world in small sailing yachts.

His Royal Highness Prince Philip was also an Admiral of the Royal Naval Sailing Association, which organized the first edition of the legendary Whitbread Round the World Race, a round-the-world crew race in 1973/74, and on that occasion commissioned the Royal Mint to produce a commemorative bronze medal for each crew member who completed the third leg around Cape Horn.

Deep-sea sailing is becoming increasingly popular

Since then, sport sailing around the world has steadily evolved, attracting more and more interest from audiences around the world in events such as the Vendée Globe, the Golden Globe, and the Global Solo, as well as the Ocean Races and the Jules Verne Trophy. At the same time there is also a marked increase in sailing tourism to remote high-latitude destinations, including the waters of Cape Horn.

There is still much to be done, and the Cape Horners International Association welcomes the new leadership of Princess Royal Anne and her valuable contribution to all activities promoting offshore sailing around the world.