The 2007 Livingstone Trophy - an interesting race

by Bob Appleton OAM on 7 Nov 2007 The Livingstone Trophy race is described by a Royal Yacht Club of Victoria member as 'A real test of skippers’ and navigators’ strategic skills. Unlike most races there is no fixed course. Competitors maximise distance sailed on a course which they design from a selection of marks spread around Port Philip, finishing at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria 22 hours later. The winner will need to predict the weather and then design the course which will best suit their boat under the expected conditions, ensuring that they are able to finish on time.'

The mind boggles as to how skippers handle such a challenge. But, here is the story of one entrant.

The 2007 Livingstone Trophy - This is a race where competitors can start from a choice of five different yacht clubs. The race started 1900 on a Friday and boats had to finish at Royal Yacht Club of Victoria on the Saturday between 1600 and 1800. Any boat finishing after 1600 would score a DNF. If a competitor finished between 1700 and 1800 they'd be penalized by the time divided by the miles.

The course was simple, a series of set marks and legs within Port Phillip had to be traversed to score 'the most miles travelled within the time limit'. The claim was, that it would be: A strategic racing challenge, a navigator/weather nightmare and a fun night and day on the Bay.

Simple enough? Are you confused? Well, if you're not, I am! Anyway, this was the challenge that was taken up by Royal Geelong Yacht Club's Paul Douglas and his boat, 'Highland Ghost'.

Paul and his crew of Steve Westhead, Lee Shaddock and Andy Roach, (who they looked to for some advice and guidance on night sailing 'because he'd had more experience in this than the other three of them put together!) met to plan the course of action. As motivation, some liquid refreshment was added to this strategic meeting, to perhaps bolster the enthusiasm and bravado! (Proved to be a fallacy, Didn't help at all in the race!!)

They decided that weather conditions would determine the planned route.

Departure time came on the Friday night and by 1700 the crew arrived, stowed their gear and took some time to familiarizing themselves with the extra Cat 4+ gear that had to be purchased and used. For example, lifejacket strobe lights, harness, tethers, jackstay locations, etc.

Then, as they headed to the start-line provided by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, they found they were the only yacht starting from Geelong!

And so it was in a dying five to eight knot south-easterly that they 'Ghosted' across the line, all excited with high spirits and great expectations.

The sailing instructions stated that first, they had to sail to a yellow can (a lit marker) that was southeast of the explosive pier. That was their jumping off point, then all marks from that point were completely optional, except not allowable to be sailed more than twice.

The yellow can marker was found, and yes, it was lit! BUT it wasn't visible until it was 20 metres off the port bow! Note, the word 'lit' does not mean, WELL lit!

Sadly, due to the lack of wind, this leg took them six hours. It was a lovely evening on the bay, but not for racing. The moon and stars reflected in a perfectly mirrored bay.

It was decided to split the crew into two teams, each to be on watch for two hour stretches. Whilst this worked well for a 24 hour period, Paul recommends a longer rest time for longer passages. What upset them most was to come back on deck after a two hour break and see the lights of Pt Wilson and Clifton Springs exactly in the same place!

Eventually, (thanks to the tide!) they made their way to Pt Richards, where character building was experienced when a ship and 'Highland Ghost' were trying to occupy the same space in the channel! With the tanker passing at 10-15 knots while the 'Ghost' was doing just 2.5 knots!

Some time after 0200 a light northeasterly brewed which gave them more boat speed to continue 'GHOSTING' towards the mark, 'somewhere' in the middle of Port Phillip Bay.

As the sun rose amid a colourful display of pinks and cool blue, everyone was on deck for an experience not to be forgotten in a hurry! BUT, still no breeze!

Then, at around 0900, patches of breeze joined together producing a Northeasterly. As the day progressed, the wind increased to 20-25 knots from the northeast.

Throughout the day, navigation was a guessing game until the wind built in strength and direction enabling them to work the course in reverse trying to plot a course maximizing the distance sailed in the remaining time.

Another competitor came close and the race was discussed before splitting tacks and heading to different marks. Finally, crossing the finishing line off RYCV at 1615 meant that 'Highland Ghost' had finished within the time limit and therefore, would get a result. Considering the weather and wind directions, not really suitable for the run from Geelong, 'Highland Ghost' came seventh.

After a welcome at RYCV and some liquid refreshment (plus hot chips!) 'Highland Ghost' headed back to Geelong.

A good effort where the skipper and crew believe that next year, given a southerly or westerly flow, they'll improve on that seventh position.

The run back to Geelong was much quicker with 15 to 20 knots on the stern and 'HIGHLAND GHOST' was back in her pen by 0130.

Paul Douglas and his crew sincerely hope that this report may inspire others from Royal Geelong Yacht Club, to consider entering this race next year. Paul says they could do with the company!!