5.5 Metre Gold Cup for Vaucluse Yacht Club

by Di Pearson on 11 Apr 2004 Vaucluse Yacht Club in Sydney is to host the prestigious International 5.5 Metre Class Gold and Silver Cups on April 24 and May 1st this year.

The regatta will decide the Australian representative for the 2004 Scandinavian Gold Cup.

Three races on each day will be held on windward/leeward courses between Shark Island and South Head on Sydney Harbour, with midday starts where practicable.

Vaucluse YC Commodore, Bob Hearn, said he was pleased that the Club was to host this Championship, commenting, we have had three 5.5’s racing here for some time and hope to have more in the future. Perhaps this might get a few more back into the class.

These are very competitive boats and a lot more economical to buy in Australia than in Europe. We have already had interest from some Europeans and look forward to seeing a good fleet here.’

Some of the world’s most famous sailors have sailed in and won 5.5 Metre World titles and the Gold Cup, including King Harald of Norway, and the USA’s Ted Turner.

Australians who have faired well include Frank Tolhurst, Gordon Ingate and Colin Beashel. Tolhurst won the Gold Cup on four occasions, the first in 1972.

Beashel is set to represent Australia at the Olympic Games in Athens - a co-record sixth time in any sport. He is also famous for having trimmed the main for our America’s Cup winning boat, Australia II in 1983, while Ingate is one of Australia’s most famous and colourful figures in many classes, including the America’s Cup 12 Metres.

Prizes will be awarded in the Evolution and Classic categories, with trophies awarded to the first three boats in each division.
The first 5.5 Metre challenge was held in Sandhamn, Sweden, between Sweden and Finland and organised by the Royal Swedish Yacht Club. The Cup was won by a Swedish yacht.

For enquiries and entry form, phone: Rob Fielding on 0417 049 681, Dave De Coster on 0412 332 565 or Bob De Coster on 0418 214 753 in Australia.

Interested in the 5.5 Metres - website at: www.5point5.org