Classic Yacht Cup Regatta returns to Melbourne’s Docklands

by Peter Costolloe on 24 Oct 2013 Hosted by the Melbourne City Marina with the support of the City of Melbourne, the Seventh Annual Cup Regatta for Classic Yachts, to be held over the Melbourne Cup long weekend, sustains the tradition that began in 1888 with the Centenary Inter Colonial Regatta for Australian and New Zealand yachts held on Port Phillip.

The regatta will be conducted by the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria on behalf of the Classic Yacht Association of Australia.

The Classic Yacht Associations of Australia and New Zealand combine to compete on Classic Yachts and Sorrento Sailing Couta Boats over four days of classic yacht racing and social events both on and off the water. On-water events that make up the Regatta programme include a 20 mile passage race along the eastern shore of Port Phillip on the Saturday, followed by a series of short courses on Sunday and a pursuit race finale on the Monday, all races ending in a spectacular finish off the end of the RYCV Marina, Williamstown.

The first event is the Friday invitational Guineas Cup and Inter Associations Challenge: an invitation-only 'first past the post' match race for Classic speedsters. The Guineas will see two Classic yachts and two Couta Boats compete over a series of three single leg windward course races. To sustain the inter Association rivalry, all Associations will put themselves on the line with two Elliot 5.9’s each will also compete in a series of three single leg windward course challenge races.

Socially the Regatta kicks off with the Friday Regatta cocktail ' meet and greet' function hosted by the Association at the Docklands 'Berth' function that will overlook the Classic Yacht fleet berthed at the Melbourne city Marina.

The spirit of competition between the Australian and New Zealand Classic Yacht Associations is sustained by the iconic 'Trans Tasman Trophy' - a highly-prized perpetual award to the best performing sailor of the visiting Association.

The best performing Classic Yacht over the Regatta will be accorded a place in history with her name being inscribed on the Col Bandy trophy. Named after our long and dear friend of Australia’s Classic Yachting.

Throughout the Regatta trophies provided by the teams from UK Halsey and Safety Marine Australia will be awarded for the best performed Classic yacht on corrected time in each race.

The 2013 Cup Regatta fleet is representative of Australian Classic Yachting from every era. From the Fife-designed, Australian-built in 1898 'Sayonara' and 'Acrospire III' to world-famous Admiral-cup yachts 'Mercedes III' and 'Boambillie'; ocean racers such as Peter Joubert’s 'Kingurra' through to the Williams Atkins-designed 'Renene' and the 1929 Norman Dalimore-designed and Percy Coverdale-built 'Windward II'.

Embedded in the regatta fleet are the Port Phillip Bay Tumlarens by Knudd Riemers, glamour Phillip Rhodes yachts, 8 meter yachts like 'Marie Louise III'; the Alf Blore designed Tasmanian A Class yacht 'Alwyn' winner of the Hobart Regatta Lipton of 1924 and 1926, accompanied by elegant and competitive day sailers and cruising yachts of last century.

Thirty miles of passage sailing brings the regatta fleet of Sorrento Sailing Couta Boats up to the northern waters of Port Phillip Bay.

Peter Costolloe, the Classic Yacht Handicapper for the Cup Regatta fleet reports ' regatta entries were received and requests for regatta information began immediately after the Cup Regatta notice of race was published.'

Cup Regatta social activities include the Friday 'Meet and Greet' cocktails evening and the Monday BBQ on the lawns of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria when the 2013 Regatta Trophy presentation and wrap-up takes place.

Notice of Race and Entry forms are now available at Event Website