For the past 13 years Hilary Roberts has given her all to ensure things run smoothly whenever Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) host a major regatta such as this week's King Edward VII Gold Cup.

The daughter of former Fiji deputy Governor Patrick Macdonald has worked diligently behind the scenes and can easily be described as one of the driving mechanisms that help propel the RBYC's well oiled machine.

But after serving under seven different commodores and helping to organise 13 Gold Cups and six Newport to Bermuda Races, the RBYC assistant secretary is stepping down from her position next month and returning to England to be reunited with family and friends.

Life may never be the same at the RBYC.

"I shall miss the Gold Cup and everything else that goes on around here — it has been a great job," the affable Roberts said.

"I am ready to go, but I will be back next year for Newport and hopefully every year after that." Over the years Roberts, who grew up in Antigua before moving to England and eventually Bermuda, has seen some of the biggest names in local and world sailing walk through the hallowed doors at RBYC.

"I've had the opportunity to meet some really nice and interesting people and made lots of friends. It's never been a boring job and no two days are alike. And jumping up and down and getting things done is the fun part of the job," added Roberts, with her trademark smile.

"It's definitely a job of variety. This office is the liaison between the yacht club and all of the Government departments including Cabinet, Government House, Immigration and Tourism. So I correspond and organise events through these various offices, and it's been fun." Although she reserves a special place in her heart for the sport of sailing, Roberts prefers to keep her feet planted firmly on solid ground.

"I am better at being on land, let's just say that," she smiled.

She also has tremendous admiration for the Gold Cup.

"The great thing about this event is that it's not all about the top guns. It's an event that brings in sailors who have never had much experience on the match racing circuit," Roberts said. "It gives them a chance to go up against people they would not normally sail against, which I think is great."