St Helena athletes begin 5 week round trip for Games

Wed, 24 Aug 2011

A group of athletes taking part in the Commonwealth Youth Games have already started their journey to the Isle of Man, even though the games are still two weeks away.

The team from St Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean must complete a 1200 mile ferry journey to Cape Town, taking five days on the RMS ST Helena, the only vessel to serve the Island.

From South Africa, they'll take an 11 and a half hour flight to the UK, a coach to the north and then the boat to the Isle of Man.

In total, they'll be away from home for five weeks in order to compete on the Isle of Man.

Some of the athletes have only ever visited a neighbouring Island before, whilst one has never left St Helena at all.

The team consists of four athletes and two officials.