Book on history of the CYCA launched
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is renowned as one of the pre-eminent ocean racing organisations in the country and worldwide.So its history is an interesting story to tell. Whilst some historians might say that 63 years is a short history - From Ratbags to Respectability tells the story of the foundation of the club and its 63 years of great ocean races, alongside a fascinating account of yachting characters, harbour races and the community that helps make the CYCA who it is today. 
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia ©
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From Ratbags to Respectability is a story that opens the reader's eyes to two great tales that are inextricably linked - one tale of the Club's humble beginnings in the post war era to where it stands today as an authority in the world of ocean yacht racing. The other tale, is that of the 'Mt Everest' of ocean racing - the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, which is one of the most fiercely contested ocean races and one of the most watched sporting events in Australia and globally every Boxing Day.
Written in an informal narrative style, this brief history captures the spirit of the club, the emotion, drive and determination of the characters that have made the Club what is it today.
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's history began in 1944 with humble beginnings as an association of cruising enthusiasts who had no clubhouse but met regularly in a downtown caf? to discuss things nautical and organize shorthaul cruises & races along the NSW Coast. The first CYCA cruise-race was held in October 1944 from Sydney to Pittwater. The first race in which a trophy was presented, was the Easter 1945 Race to Pittwater, won by Trygve Halvorsen's Enterprise and contested by a fleet of 23 yachts. As the Club grew, so to did its sailing program which has grown steadily since the 1940s and now boasts a strong mix of offshore, passage and harbour racing including the Summer Twilight series which attracts fleets of 100+, and the Audi Winter Series which attracts over 150 yachts every Sunday from April -July annually.
The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, which is often referred to as the 'Mt Everest' of blue water ocean racing, is an integral part of the CYCA's history. The very first Sydney Hobart Race was conducted on 26 December 1945. The race was originally intended to be a leisurely family cruise to Hobart by Jack Earl and his family aboard their yacht Kathleen Gillett. Two other early members CYCA President Bert Walker, in his yacht Saltair and Peter Luke in his yacht Wayfarer decided to go along too. When Commander John Illingworth, RN, one of the great exponents of ocean racing visited the CYCA, Peter Luke mentioned that he, Earl and Walker were planning a cruise to Hobart. Illingworth suggested that the cruise be made into a race as it would be very difficult to keep a 'cruise-in company' together over 600 nautical miles. Nine yachts eventually lined up for that very first race with Illingworth's Rani achieving the 'double' handicap and line honours victory.
By its tenth anniversary the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race had attracted 17 starters, and on its 20th anniversary the race had 38 starters. For its Golden Jubilee 50th anniversary the Kodak Sydney Hobart Yacht Race broke many records - a huge fleet of 371 starters (possibly the largest ever to contest a category 1 race anywhere in the world),three start lines, and the biggest line-up of maxi and pocket maxi yachts in the race's history.
In 1998 the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race was hit by a cyclonic low pressure system that swept through the 115 boat fleet on 27 December. Six yachtsmen died, five yachts sank, 66 retired from the race and 55 yachtsmen were rescued in Australia's biggest-ever maritime rescue. Lessons learned from Sydney Hobart Yacht races have propelled the club into the vanguard of safety in ocean racing, where it remains today. Over the years, the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has grown from strength to strength, with the race now known as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, since Rolex took up naming rights sponsorship in 2002.
From Ratbags to Respectability was written by David Colfelt, long standing CYCA member, and past editor of Offshore Yachting magazine.
'I have tried to make this history of the CYCA not just a run-of-the-mill yacht club history. It does cover the chronology of the club since 1944, but I have also included many passages about some of the great characters who have contributed to building this Club's unique spirit. The book also deals in some depth with the club's role in the evolutionary and revolutionary years of ocean racing during which the CYCA was a major world player.' said author David Colfelt.
CYCA Commodore Matt Allen commented on this unique day in the Club's history, 'I am pleased to present this history to the Club members, members of the yachting fraternity worldwide and our community. What has long been seen as a hallowed institution of yachting prowess, has now been captured with the publishing of its unique and colourful history. My thanks go to all of those individuals who have contributed to the development of the CYCA to make it one of the world's truly great yacht clubs and I look forward to the next steps in the Club's ever-evolving history.'
Published in association with FOCUS Publishing, From Ratbags to Respectability is beautifully presented in hardcover format and carries over 150 black-and-white and full-colour images. Written in an accessible, easy-to-read style, the book incorporates historical and current images, 'pull out'quotes and comments from members, biographical vignettes and pictures of race-winning yachts. This book would make a stunning addition to anyone's library or coffee table and will be of great interest to yachting enthusiasts in Australia and internationally.
'From Ratbags to Respectability' can be purchased online at www.focus.com.au/shopfor $59.95AUD (plus postage & handling).
by Jennifer Crooks 
Copacabana, NSW
