Governor's Cup 2010 Entrant - 8 February 2010
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Billy Leisegang , Our Dianne
‘Our Dianne’ has been a family yacht from the day the hull and decks came out of the factory. A Simonis 35 design, she was built and previously owned by Herb and Lorna Farrow, during which time she competed successfully as Lady Lorna, sailing in the Cape To Rio race twice, once with family and friends and then with Bertie Reed and a lady team. Now she belongs to the Leisegang family, re-named ‘Our Dianne’ after the senior lady of the family, the only one who does not sail. However Dianne loves the sport as a spectator, is a firm supporter and has done the trip to St Helena four times, once with the Festival of Running and three times as chief supporter of ‘Our Dianne’ from the decks of the RMS St Helena.
The 2002 Governor’s Cup had brother and sister, Riàn and Terry Leisegang, co-skippering ‘Our Dianne’ to handicap victory, with Riàn doing the speed thing and Terry the navigation and tactics. Billy was owner’s representative and Sailing Master. We were privileged to have family friend Goofy Alexander and three “Saints” aboard, Buffalo Young, Nola Henry and Skinny Williams. We made so many friends on the Island that we decided to adopt St Helena as our home from home and we really believe St Helena has adopted us in return. Year 2004 saw ‘Our Dianne’ at the start line again, this time hosting juniors. Riàn again co-skippered, this time with Billy and we were joined by three young team members from FBYC and another from Cornwall, UK. We had a good race and handicap honours came our way again.
Year 2006 heralded our third Governor’s Cup and we were again joined by “Saints”, with Buffalo bringing his wife (Patsy) and daughter (Kaylee) to stay with us prior to the event as we were by then great friends. Our home became a dormitory, with Buff and Patsy in one room, Kaylee and crew member Tessa in another and third crew member, Oscar, having to bunk down in the corner of the lounge. What a time we all had, with the visitors attending sail training courses at Izivunguvungu and a million and one organised events. Our great Friend, Spook Trainor, joined the team as navigator and navigate he did. He took great pains to feed us well too and delighted in sitting with the GPS in the cockpit – “17, 18, 18.5, 19 knots!’ he shouted time and again. This time we were overtaken on handicap towards the end of the race when we sailed into a windless area, but we managed to hold on for line honours, which brought with it an incredible reception by the entire population of St Helena.
So to 2010. We entered the 2008 race, but withdrew owing to Billy’s work commitments in the UK. To date, we have four crew, Billy, Riàn, Spook and a new Friend, Marc Bow, who brings photography to the race. We aim to do lots of filming before and during the race, on the Island and during the return voyage on the RMS St Helena. We would dearly like to again host “Saints” as we love this nation of peace loving, warm and friendly people. Buffalo is biting, so we are holding thumbs!
Sooooo…. Here’s to another great race to the Island of our dreams and we look forward to new experiences, fair trade winds and new friendships.
Team ‘Our Dianne’
And here is my favourite impression of the island, from the writings of well known South African sailor and author, Frank Wightman:
“I loved those weird, neglected country houses, speaking plainly of opulence in the old days. In the gardens there were fruit trees that had gone back to the primitive, yielding apples the size of acorns. I found a calash in a coach-house, a light hooded carriage once drawn by a high-stepping horse. I imagined myself in a tiny cottage, growing my own vegetables, baking my own bread, keeping a cow, wandering over that island where the scenery is shattering in its beauty. My cottage would be on the heights. After walking all day I would come home in the evening, build a fire of twigs and eat something simple. Only on market days would I go down to Jamestown to buy my few groceries. The island is so English; so lacking in the emotional voilences I detest. On those heights beneath the arching clouds I would wander my life away. In my garden there would be six fowls and a beehive, and the milk I did not drink I would churn into butter or cheese. I would watch the wild life and stand on those high peaks and look out to sea. The nights would hold the stillness of the highlands. I would grow old and be at peace.”
