Sir John Vereker and Lady Vereker are special guests at opening ceremony

At the end of his final day as Governor of Bermuda, Sir John Vereker and Lady Vereker helped Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore Andrew Cox and Event Chairman Les Crane open the 59th annual King Edward VII Gold Cup last night at the traditional cocktail party hosted at the international headquarters of Bacardi rum.

Sir John's five-year governorship ended yesterday and he was feted with a parade down Front St. in Hamilton and a 17-gun salute as he and his wife made their way to the Gold Cup's opening ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage. Sir John, wearing the Governor's traditional plumed hat, will be replaced in December, but his attendance at the Gold Cup opening ceremony was his last official act as Governor.

Commodore Cox introduced the Governor and related a story called the "John and Judy Show" that referenced a shared moment in an airport when Lady Vereker was watching the Louis Vuitton Cup on a television and blurted out, "They've crashed!"

The reference to a collision between the two boats racing bought everyone in the lounge to the TV, thinking that a major accident had happened. Lady Vereker stood to the side, a wide smile showing her amusement at the story.

Then the Governor took the microphone. "Over there we're referred to as Governor and Lady Vereker," he said, referring to the official send off at the Cabinet Office, "here we're the John and Judy show." That drew a round of laughter from the attending competitors, flag officers and dignitaries. Standing to his right, Lady Vereker could be seen to mouth, "I much prefer John and Judy show."

Commodore Cox opened the event with a short speech that thanked the competitors for attending and sponsors for their support. He also asked for a "few moments of silence" in recognition of professional match racer Chris Law, who passed away on July 24.

Law, well known in Bermuda, competed in the Gold Cup nine times and also provided commentary on several occasions. The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club lowered its Defaced Blue Ensign on July 28 as a mark of respect on Chris' passing.

--Sean McNeill