1:17 AM Thu 27 Oct 2011 GMT
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'Oenone on slips - 5th Annual Classic Yacht Cup Regatta'
H Lovett
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The fifth Annual Classic Yacht Regatta is being hosted by the Victorian branch of the Classic Yacht Association of Australia this weekend on Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay (28 to 31 October).
Melbourne's yacht racing scene on Port Phillip Bay will slip into yesteryear this weekend.
The Classic Yachting Regatta will be centre stage. Conducted by the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, the Regatta is an international Classic Yacht Racing event in partnership with kindred Classic Yacht Associates from New Zealand and the Couta Boat Association.
Will history repeat itself? Sayonara, a 19 metre Fife, an entrant in this Regatta and listed on the Australian Historic Vessels Register, won the 1898 Inter Colonial challenge Regatta.
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Storm Bay in Storm Bay - 5th Annual Classic Yacht Cup Regatta - Tim Phillips
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Two of the standout members of the Melbourne Classic Yacht fleet competing in the Regatta are 'Storm Bay', Tim Philips world famous jackyard top sail cutter from Hobart and 'Oenone', an 1895 collectors item from the desk of Linton Hope, the well known British Naval Architect.
The first race of the Regatta is the head turning passage race. The sight of Classic Yachts in full sail beating to windward close in shore off Beaconsfield Parade, Melbourne is a proven people and car stopper.
Following on the next day is two race series around a laid marks course on Sunday morning and afternoon.
The final race features a pursuit start from Williamstown. The parade of classic yachts with their pre-start manoeuvring evolutions and their en masse fight for line honours is a well known people attraction on Gem Pier.
The perpetual Regatta Stradbroke II trophy is presented to the best performing Classic Yacht or Couta Boat skipper. Presented to the Classic Yacht Association by the Abrahams family, in memory of their family connection to Melbourne's Classic Yachting history. The trophy is on permanent display on the wall of the royal Yacht club dining room alongside other trophies from the era of Classic Yachting.
To round out the Regatta performance trophies, the Trans Tasman trophy is awarded to best New Zealand sailing visitor. This award is based on the aggregated point score of each yacht the New Zealand visitors sailed on during the Regatta.
Gentlemen to your yachts and begin racing evolutions! Thank you.
Event website
by Peter Costolloe
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Maatsuyker Island, TAS
