Cup Regatta for Classic Yachts on Port Phillip Bay preview

6:11 PM Wed 5 Oct 2011 GMT

'Scimitar and Pastime II. Two of Melbournes Classics Yachts on the wind to the top mark - 5th Annual Classic Yacht Cup Regatta, Port Phillip Bay, October 28-31' Mark Chew

The Fifth Annual Cup Regatta for Classic Yachts, to be held over the Melbourne Cup long weekend (October 28-31), sustains the tradition that began in 1888 with the Centenary Intercolonial Regatta for Australian and New Zealand yachts held on Port Phillip Bay. The regatta will be conducted by the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria on behalf of the Classic Yacht Association of Australia.

Whilst others in Melbourne society compete on horse-back, members of the Classic Yacht Associations of Australia and New Zealand combine to compete on Classic Yachts and Sorrento Sailing Couta Boats over four days of classic yacht racing and social events both on and off the water. On-water events that make up the Regatta programme include a 20 mile passage race along the eastern shore of Port Phillip on the Saturday, followed by a series of short courses on Sunday and a pursuit race finale on the Monday, ending in a spectacular finish off the end of the RYCV Marina, Williamstown.

The first event is the Guineas Cup: an invitation-only 'first past the post' match race for speedsters. Two Classic yachts and two Couta Boats compete over single leg windward course race. The competition will be fierce this year with ex-Sydney-Hobart racers Boambillee and Mercedes III favourites to win!

The spirit of competition between the Australian and New Zealand Classic Yacht Associations is sustained by the iconic 'Trans Tasman Trophy' - a highly-prized perpetual award to the best performing sailor of the visiting Association.

The overall regatta trophy, awarded to the best performing yacht is the 'Stradbroke II' ship's bell - a perpetual trophy to be hung in the Dining Room of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria.

Sayonara 100 years of power and elegance - 5th Annual Classic Yacht Cup Regatta, Port Phillip Bay, October 28-31 - Mark Chew

The 2011 Cup Regatta fleet is representative of Australian Classic Yachting from every era. From the Fife-designed, Australian-built 'Sayonara' and 'Acrospire III' to world-famous Admiral-cup yachts 'Mercedes III' and 'Boambillie'; ocean racers such as Peter Joubert's 'Kingurra' through to the Williams Atkins-designed 'Renene' and the 1929 Norman Dalimore-designed and Percy Coverdale-built 'Windward II'.

Embedded in the regatta fleet are the Port Phillip Bay Tumlarens by Knudd Riemers, glamour Phillip Rhodes yachts, eight meter yachts like 'Marie Louise III'; the Alf Blore designed Tasmanian A Class yacht 'Alwyn' winner of the Hobart Regatta Lipton of 1924 and 1926, accompanied by elegant and competitive day sailers and cruising yachts of last century.

Thirty miles of passage sailing brings the regatta fleet of Sorrento Sailing Couta Boats up to the northern waters of Port Phillip Bay.

Peter Costolloe, the Classic Yacht Handicapper for the Cup Regatta fleet reports 'regatta entries were received and requests for regatta information began immediately after the Cup Regatta notice of race was published.'

Cup Regatta social activities include the Friday 'Meet and Greet' cocktails evening and the Monday BBQ on the lawns of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria when the 2011 Regatta Trophy presentation and wrap-up takes place.

Notice of Race and Entry forms are now available online .

Cup Regatta website

by Peter Costolloe

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Cup Regatta for Classic Yachts on Port Phillip Bay preview

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