Around Australia Ocean Race and Rally - the Melbourne Sydney Trophy

5:51 PM Tue 21 Jul 2009 GMT

'Grand old trophy, some smiles and Melbourne as the backdrop - Around Australia Ocean Race & Rally, Bob Williams and George Shaw' John Curnow

Bob 'Freight Train' Williams delivered his first Around Australia Ocean Race and Rally participant information session the other night at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria.

All was on plan. The technology had all been checked and was working. The meetings beforehand had been completed and a nice meal consumed.

What a surprise it was then, as the 50 attendees arrived just before 7pm, ordered their dinner, when the whole of Williamstown was blacked out for several hours. In true yachting style, the club quickly responded with candles and an LED torch to be shone on Bob.

Bob loves this project and the audience loves the tale. - Around Australia Ocean Race & Rally - John Curnow

A great low-tech presentation was enjoyed by all, including some stories from Bob's own career and some really good questions for Bob's FAQ section were asked - things like will the slower boats be allowed to get away early on some sections so they can arrive with the main fleet. The answer was a resounding yes, as Bob explained that the whole event was all about fun and safety.

Bob has had over 70 boats reserve a slot at the moment and even had interest from a powerboaty who wants to join the cruisers and experience Australia's remote and rugged North coast.

However, the biggest highlight of the evening had to be the unveiling of the old Melbourne to Sydney Trophy which has been resurrected, restored and will be awarded to the winner of the leg as part of the Around Australia Ocean Race.

The race, first run in 1956, has not been run and the trophy not awarded since 1978, when the now-revered Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster took off and the need for a feeder race to Sydney for the start of the Sydney to Hobart race for SE Australian boats was diminished.

In the 70's the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria was known as the Cruising Yacht Club of Victoria and so this is the title on the magnificent cup. This grand and imposing trophy is literally imbued with history. There are names like Jock Sturrock, Sir Arthur Warner, Lou Abrahams and Fred Short (former ORCV Commodore and father of Andrew, Matthew, Ian and Jonathon) on there: with boats like 'Rampage', 'Mary Blair', 'Julie', 'Odin' and a certain 'Winston Churchill' on those plaques too.

Interestingly, all boats will have a chance to go after this superb and historic prize, not once, but twice in the course of the Around Australia Yacht Race.

Power out in Williamstown, blank screen and candles to save the day. - Around Australia Ocean Race & Rally - John Curnow

The first time will be in the Winter of 2011 when the WA, SA, Vic and Tas boats all head North. The second will be in that year's Summer, when the NSW and Qld boats are heading home, after having gone around the top and along the bottom.

In fact for the whole event, you can drop a leg and do another when everyone comes around again.

In that way, we're sure to see the result hang right out to the end as some boats are bound to chase another go at legs in more favourable weather.

At any rate, the Around Australia Ocean Race and Rally is going to be spectacular and with the reinstatement of one of the country's most historic races incorporated into it, there is just yet one more reason to be a part of it all.

To reserve a race or rally slot go to www.sailaroundaustralia.com.au

by John Curnow