New trophy to support Dragon competitors
by Jeanette Severs 26 Jan 2023 13:45 PST
27-29 January 2023
Metung Yacht Club's International Dragon Class fleet was built from small beginnings, just like its founder.
Robert Trenberth began sailing as a teenager, then progressed to racing on a multi-crew yacht, based at The Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron. After a lull in his adult years, Rob moved to Metung (in Victoria, Australia) in 2000 and began sailing again.
He started with a Flying Fifteen, and in 2015 progressed to a one design yacht, the International Dragon class.
Rob was an enthusiastic adopter of the class, buying 'St George'. Another MYC member, Terry Grundy, quickly purchased several more Dragons and the fleet had 10 boats.
Rob's vision was for a dedicated Gippsland Lakes Dragon regatta.
"As the size of the fleet increased, with its enthusiastic skippers participating in training and sailing programs, it seemed to me it was time for a dedicated Gippsland Lakes Dragon regatta, and a dedicated trophy," Rob said.
A three-day regatta was planned and the winner's trophy was struck in the name of Charles Stephenson.
The Charles Stephenson Trophy is one of those on offer during this weekend's International Dragon Class 2023 Victorian Championship, being raced on Lake King, at Metung.
After organising a number of regattas, Terry Grundy and Rob Trenberth proposed that Metung Yacht Club bid to host the 2018 Prince Phillip Cup.
"This was the International Dragon Class Australian championship regatta," Rob said.
"With the support of Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Metung Yacht Club's bid was accepted."
Rob Trenberth became the captain of MYC's Dragon fleet and worked with MYC skippers and crews to develop training and development strategies.
"These strategies were able to build the skills of local Dragon crews," Rob said.
He also worked informally to build linkages with Dragon sailors in nearby Paynesville, with the fleet at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club (on Port Phillip Bay), and with interstate fleets.
MYC's links with the International Dragon Association were formalised with Terry Grundy on its governing committee, and Rob Trenberth a member of the Victorian association.
Rob was also elected to the role of Vice Commodore of MYC, and chaired the organising committee for the 2018 Prince Phillip Cup, held at Metung.
"These links were essential to successfully launching the Charles Stephenson regatta, and its success was the platform for MYC to host the 2018 Prince Phillip Cup," he said.
Rob was able to be at the helm of his yacht, St George, at that race.
"Success breeds success, and MYC is to host the Prince Phillip Cup again, in 2024," Rob said. "Along with the local fleet, there'll be competitors from interstate and perhaps internationally."
Terry Grundy had the Robert Trenberth Trophy struck, to be presented at the conclusion of this weekend's racing.