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News from the Australia Day Regatta

Chairman’s Report and Review of the 2021 Regatta

“On January 26, 2021 numerous Australia Day Sailing Regattas were held across the State. There were some 500 entries, slightly lower than previous years. These numbers are considered excellent taking into account the many restrictions due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

The Australia Day Regatta is the oldest continuously run sailing event in the world and this was the 185th.

Sydney Harbour was presented with a somewhat reduced spectacle of events due to the many Covid 19 restrictions on an otherwise warm to hot sunny day. The early light and variable wind conditions caused some initial considerations for the start boat officials however a 10 to 15 knot east north east breeze soon filled in, perfect Regatta conditions.

72 yachts sailed on the Harbour and 37 raced off-shore to Botany Bay. Numerous satellite regattas took place including those at Pittwater, Lake Macquarie, Lake Illawarra, Botany Bay and many others, particularly dinghy clubs including sailors with disabilities and radio-controlled yachts all participating.

We are most grateful to Navy who maintained the tradition by providing our Regatta Flag Ship, HMAS Diamantina under the command of Lieutenant Commander Robert Kelly. Stationed just off the Harbour start line, its crew all dressed out in white lined the decks with our burgee flying aloft projected a magnificent back-drop.

The Prize Giving hosted by Sydney’s Lord Mayor at the Town Hall was enthusiastically attended, albeit on a restricted format dictated by Covid restrictions.

Most day-time events usually performed on the Harbour during Australia Day celebrations were cancelled including the Salute to Australia taken on board a naval vessel, the Ferry-thon and Tall Ships race. The Salute was a private ceremony held at Government House.

The day wouldn’t be Australia Day without the Air Force flypast, this year 2 F35’s made a spectacular display.

The Regatta could not happen without the support of our sponsors; Sydney’s Lord Mayor, Accolade Wines and I thank the Regatta Organising Committee, the Regatta Council Members and RSYS for providing their race management facilities.

Next year will be our 186th Regatta and we will ensure the tradition continues and hopeful with a clear and Corona Virus free atmosphere.”

The Chairman noted that Peter Hemery OAM had dedicate some 31 years in total to the Regatta, Charles Maclurcan 23, John Curtin 19 and Andre van Stom 16. The meeting thanked them for their years of service. The Chairman also acknowledged the work undertaken by the Assistant Secretary and thanked her for her support and dedication to the role.

Chairman’s Report and Review of the 2020 Regatta

“On January 26, 2020 Australia Day Sailing Regattas were held across the State. I am pleased to advise that this year there were 601 entries.

The Australia Day Regatta is the oldest continuously run sailing event in the world and this was the 184th.

Sydney Harbour was presented with a magnificent spectacle of events on a truly wonderful sunny day, albeit a little sultry due to a residual smoke haze from recent bush fires along with a sparkling Harbour and basically a 10 knot east north east wind gusting occasionally to 20 knots.

69 yachts sailed on the Harbour and 24 raced off-shore to Botany Bay. Numerous satellite regattas took place including those at Pittwater, Lake Macquarie, Lake Illawarra, Botany Bay and many others, particularly dinghy clubs including sailors with disabilities and radio-controlled yachts all participating.

The event usually culminates with the Prize Giving hosted by Sydney’s Lord Mayor at the Town Hall. This year due to restrictions on such events caused by the CV19 pandemic the event has been postponed.

There were many events on the day which adds to the Harbour spectacle including P & O cruise ships at anchor, the Ferrython and Harbour Parade of yachts, the Tug and Yacht Ballet, Tall Ships race and much more.

The main event revolved around Navy’s HMAS Canberra positioned off Circular Quay from where the Official Salute to Australia was staged supported with a 21-gun salute by Army on the foreshore under the northern Harbour Bridge pylon. The day wouldn’t be Australia Day without the Air Force flypast, this year 3 F/A 18’s made a spectacular display.

For us, we are most grateful to Navy who have maintained the tradition by providing the Regatta Flagship, this year HMAS Yarra under the command of Lieutenant Commander Marc Rennie, a truly magnificent platform from which to view the Regatta. During the day the ship welcomed aboard the Australian military Fleet, Land and Air Commanders to view commencement of the Regatta.

The Regatta could not happen without the support of our sponsors; Sydney’s Lord Mayor, Hardy Wines and I thank the Organising Committee, the Regatta Council Members and RSYS for providing their race management facilities.

Next year will be our 185th Regatta and we will ensure the tradition continues and hopeful with a clear and Corona Virus free atmosphere.”

Chairman’s Report and Review of the 2019 Regatta

“The tradition continues – this year on January 26 Australia Day Regattas were held across the State. I am pleased to advise that this year we experienced a higher participation rate of some 650 entries.

The Australia Day Regatta is the oldest continuously run sailing event in the world and this was the 183rd.

Sydney Harbour was presented with a magnificent spectacle of events on a truly beautiful day of blue sky and fair winds.

Some 62 yachts sailed on the Harbour and 26 raced off-shore on the day. Many satellite regattas took place including those at Pittwater, Lake Macquarie, Lake Illawarra, Botany Bay and many others, particularly dinghy clubs and sailors with disabilities and radio-controlled yachts all participating.

The over-all event culminated with the Prize Giving hosted by Sydney’s Lord Mayor at the Town Hall with over 100 attendees including 22 youth sailors. A truly splendid evening with so many youth sailors receiving their awards.

There were many events on the day which adds to the harbour spectacle including two P & O cruise ships at anchor, the Ferrython and Harbour Parade of yachts, the Tug and yacht Ballet, Tall Ships race and much more. The main event revolved around Navy’s HMAS Choules positioned off Circular Quay from where the Official Salute to Australia was staged supported with a 21-gun salute by Army on the foreshore under the northern Harbour Bridge pylon. Of course, Australia Day wouldn’t be Australia Day without the Air Force flypast of 3 F/A 18’s, quite spectacular.

For us, we are most grateful to Navy who have maintained the tradition by providing the Regatta Flag ship, this year HMAS Gascoyne, a truly magnificent platform from which to view the Regatta.

The Regatta could not happen without the support of our sponsors; Navy for our Flag Ship, Sydney’s Lord Mayor, Accolade Wines and I thank the Organising Committee, the Regatta Council Members and RSYS for providing their race management facilities.

Next year will be our 184th Regatta and we will ensure the tradition continues.”

Report and Review of the 2018 Regatta

This year we celebrated the 182nd Australia Day Regatta with over 60 boats taking part in the Main Harbour Regatta. Across New South Wales there were over 600 entries including off shore racing, satellite regattas from Lake Illawarra in the south to Lake Macquarie in the north and on waterways in between. More than twenty yacht clubs conduct the various regattas on Australia Day. Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Sydney Amateur Sailing Club and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia provide logistics and support for the main harbour and the off shore Regatta. Overall, the Regatta was a great success.

The regatta caters for all classes of boats including classic heritage gaff rigged boats, modern and traditional skiffs, Lasers, Sabots, Mirrors, trailable and Radio-controlled yachts. Skippers and crew comprise all age groups and include sailors with disabilities.

This event is the oldest continuously run sailing regatta in the world. The first Anniversary Regatta, as it was then known, was held in 1837 just one year after South Australia was proclaimed a colony and before Victoria, Queensland or Tasmania were formally declared provinces. These early Regattas included races for whaleboats, rowboats and licensed watermen’s ferries. By the 1860’s there were around 30 races held for working and leisure boats on each Anniversary Day.

The weather gods smiled upon us and in the end Sydney Harbour sparkled, with three P&O cruise liners at moorings or at anchor. As usual, the support of the Australian Defence Force for the Regatta and the celebrations in Sydney generally was outstanding. This year our Flagship was the minesweeper HMAS Gascoyne. The Regatta guests boarded HMAS Gascoyne off Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron before the ship sailed into the exclusion zone off Admiralty House in preparation for the Salute to Australia. The Salute to Australia, which involved a 21-gun salute by Army and an Airforce flypast of three F/A-18 Hornets was taken by HMAS Canberra. HMAS Gascoyne then moved down the Harbour to take up her position as Regatta Flagship. Following the start of the Regatta the Flagship was able to move with the regatta fleet giving guests a very close view of their progress.

Everyone on board HMAS Gascoyne, which provided an intimate experience with the Regatta, were very impressed by the whole day’s proceedings which included a visit by His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Rear Admiral Johnathan Mead AM Fleet Commander Australian, Major General Gus McLachlan AM, Commander Forces Command and Air-Vice Marshall Steve Roberton DSC AM, Air Commander Australia.

I would also like to thank all the organisations who have supported the Regatta by advertising in the Program, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron for their usual splendid co-operation and support in many ways, including the running of the Harbour Regatta by their Sailing Office. Of course, the many volunteers from this committee and the participating yacht clubs make it all possible on the day and without them the Regatta would not happen.

The City of Sydney generously provided the facilities and catering for the annual prize giving which was held at the Sydney Town Hall on 27th March. The support of Sydney’s Lord Mayor is greatly appreciated. As usual and alongside the older competitors it was great to see the enthusiastic young sailors receiving their medallions and the recognition of their successes. The Australia Day Regatta is really for them, our future sailors amongst whom, I hope, will be those who will ensure the continuing success of the Australia Day Regatta and other Australian sailing ventures in future years.

Some members of the Regatta committee sail on the day and others have duties on the Flagship, but the starting team spent the day on Mischief starting and finishing the fleet. It may be a busy time for them but it is also an enjoyable part of the day.

In the past we have relied on the support of our sponsors to build up the financial reserves of the Regatta. We are currently seeking to bolster our sponsorship base to ensure that it can weather any storms which might come its way in future years.

I would like to thank all the members of the Regatta Management committee for their support during the year.

The Regatta Management Committee has enjoyed the support and advice of the members of the Advisory Council which met last October. It was an opportunity for representatives of the Australian Defence Force, the NSW Government and supporting yacht clubs to contribute to the success of the Regatta and for us to thank them for their support at the dinner which followed.

The Regatta to be sailed on Australia Day 2019 will be the 183rd Australia Day Regatta. The tradition continues.

Malcolm Levy OAM

Chairman

Chairman’s Report to the Annual General Meeting on 20 June 2016

The 180th Australia Day Regatta was sailed on Tuesday 26 January 2016. 139 boats took part in the Sydney Harbour Regatta including 27 in the CYCA offshore race; Sydney Harbour west had 187 boats with another 285 boats taking part in other events at various locations across New South Wales. The numbers were somewhat lower this year due to some taking advantage of the long weekend. The Regatta was however, another great success.

The weather gods smiled on us this year and Sydney Harbour sparkled, with three P&O cruise liners at moorings or at anchor. As usual, the support of the Australian Defence Force for the Regatta and the celebrations in Sydney generally was outstanding. This year our Flagship was a minesweeper HMAS Yarra. The Regatta guests boarded HMAS Yarra off Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron before the ship sailed to the exclusion zone around Circular Quay in preparation for the Salute to Australia. The Salute to Australia, which involved a 21-gun salute by the Army and a flypast by RAAF jets, was taken by HMAS Adelaide, the newest vessel in the Fleet. HMAS Yarrathen moved down the Harbour to take up her position as Regatta Flagship. Following the start of the Regatta the Flagship was able to move with the fleet giving guests a very close view of proceedings.

Everyone on board HMAS Yarra was very impressed by the whole day’s proceedings and although HMAS Yarra is much smaller than previous Flagships and along with the limited catering facilities we adapted to the circumstances of the day. In hindsight the smaller vessel proved to be a more appropriate and provided an intimate experience with the Regatta.

I would also like to thank all the organisations who have supported the Regatta by advertising in the Program, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron for their usual splendid cooperation and support in many ways, including the running of the Harbour Regatta by their Sailing Office. Of course, the many volunteers from this committee and the participating yacht clubs make it all possible on the day and without them the Regatta would not happen.

The City of Sydney again generously provided the facilities and catering for the annual prize giving which was held at the Sydney Town Hall on 22 March. The support of the Lord Mayor of Sydney is greatly appreciated. Once again it was great to see the enthusiastic young sailors there to receive their medallions and the recognition of their successes. The Australia Day Regatta is really for them, our future sailors amongst whom, I hope, will be those who will ensure the continuing success of the Australia Day Regatta and other Australian sailing ventures in future years.

Some members of the Regatta committee sail on the day and others have duties on the Flagship, but the starting team spent the day in Mischief starting and finishing the fleet. It may be a busy time for them but it is also an enjoyable part of the day.

With the support of our sponsors we have been able to build up the financial reserves of the Regatta which will help to ensure that it can weather any storms which might come its way in future years. While we had no sponsor for this year’s Regatta your Committee is working towards securing a new sponsor for 2017.

I would like to thank all the members of the Regatta Management committee for their support during the year.

The Regatta to be sailed on Australia Day 2017 will be the 181st Australia Day Regatta. The tradition continues.

Malcolm Levy OAM

Chairman

The 180th Australia Day Regatta

Fidelis, the line honours winner of the 1966 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, showed that she is still a sprightly racing yacht at the age of 52 by winning line and handicap honours in her division of the 180th Australia Day Regatta. Fidelis, skippered her owner, Nigel Stoke, outsailed a fleet of 14 boats in the Classic Non-spinnaker Division for a comfortable line-honours victory.

Fidelis

However, her winning margin over Fagel Grip (Jerry Lees) was just 11 seconds on corrected time with just over a minute more to third placegetter Sjö Ro (Jeremy Arnott). Built in New Zealand in 1964 of triple, diagonal-planked kauri to a design by Norwegian Knud Reimers, Fidelis was an immediate success in local ocean racing and in 1966 her then owner Jim Davern sailed her across the Tasman to contest the Sydney Hobart. She set a then new record elapsed time in taking line honours and, in 2006, her current owner Nigel Stoke raced her to Hobart to commemorate the 40th anniversary of her line honours win in 1966.

Also racing in the Classic Division 1 of the 180th Australia Day Regatta were two former Sydney Hobart contenders which also contested the 1966 edition, David Salter’s Mister Christian and Maurie Evans’ Malohi.

Malohi (A70)

Sydney Amateur Sailing Club’s honorary secretary Peter Scott sailed the gaff-rigger Cherub to victory in Classic Non-spinnaker Division 2 from John Barclay’s Reverie and Dennis Wood’s Antares.

Cherub (A4)

The two Classic yacht divisions made up almost half the overall keelboat entries in the regatta, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia entrant Wild1 (Larkie Missiris) winning Division 1 spinnaker and SASC yacht Very Tasty (Al Chase) winning Division 1 non-spinnaker.

Division 2 non-spinnaker went to Midwicket (David Kinsey) while Akela (David Lamond) won from a small fleet in Division 2 spinnaker. Lindsay Brown’s venerable Folkboat Dreamtime won Division 3 spinnaker.

For the first time, a fleet of high-performance catamarans, the F18s, raced in the Australia Day Regatta. The first class to start, they provided an added spectacle to the regatta with C Horse(Jeremy Brookes) scoring an outright win.

Kong (AUS 418) came sixth in the F18 division

In the Australia Day Regatta ocean race, from Sydney Harbour to a mark off Botany Bay and return, line honours went to the TP52 Balance, Paul Clitheroe’s overall winner of the 71st Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race last month.

Balance after the finish

On corrected time, however, first place on PHS scoring and the prestigious City of Sydney Sesquicentenary Cup went to Next Light, an X35 skippered by Mark Rutherford, one of three co-owners, the others being Chris Ryan and Derek Collins. Co-owner Ryan arrived back from overseas just an hour too late to join the crew in the race, sailed in a 12–18 knot ENE breeze offshore.

“The conditions suited the boat, one of only two Danish-built X35s in Australia, and the crew worked brilliantly as a team,” Ryan commented on reports from his co-owners after the traditional Australia Day Regatta ocean race to Botany Bay and return….in the wake of Captain Arthur Philip in 1788!

Rutherford, Ryan and Collins have owned Next Light for more than four years, their previous major win being a divisional victory at Hamilton Island Race Week. Their previous boat was First Light, a Beneteau 36.7 in which they finished second in a Pittwater to Coffs Harbour and won the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s bluewater series.

“When we bought Next Light we decided to base our racing with the CYCA, to gain more experience from the high standard of competition out of Sydney Harbour,” Ryan explained.

The three owners and their crew dedicated yesterday’s City of Sydney Sesquicentenary Cup victory to former crew member Greg ‘Macca’ McIntosh, a Sydney waterways character who sailed regularly on Next Light. ‘Macca’ sailed his last race on 21 October 2014 and passed away after a brief illness on 21 November 2015. “His absence was noted by everyone aboard Next Light on Australia Day,” a crew member commented.

First Light won the PHS division of the ocean race, conducted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, from RSYS member Brian Carrick’s Peach Teats-Velocity and Merlin, skippered by Olympic gold medallist David Forbes. Merlin also won the IRC division of the race from About Time (Julian Farren-Price) and Rolex Sydney Hobart Race winner Balance (Paul Clitheroe).

Peter Campbell

The 179th Australia Day Regatta

Sixty three years after the 60-foot ketch Wraith of Odin contested her first of five Sydney to Hobart ocean races, she won the Classic Division 1 race in the 179th Australia Day Regatta on Sydney Harbour.

Wraith of Odin crossing the finish line of the 179th Australia Day Regatta on Sydney Harbour

Skippered by owner Keith Glover and carrying her original sail number ‘CYCA 55’, Wraith of Odinfinished second around the course to Nigel Stoke’s Fidelis, the 66-foot line honours winner of the 1966 Sydney Hobart.

On corrected time Wraith of Odin won the race from John Sturrock’s Eudoria and Bill Loader’s Wathara, a Dublin Bay 24. A fleet of 11 sailed in the division, including other former ocean racing yachts as Fidelis, Vittoria, Mister Christian and Southerly.

Wraith of Odin was built in 1949–50 in the Forster-Tuncurry area of Northern New South Wales by highly regarded master builder Alf Johansson for Dr Brian O’Brien from Sydney, to a design by the famous US yacht designer John Alden of Boston.

Brian and Dagmar O’Brien had sailed their earlier yacht, Conella, in the second Sydney Hobart Race in 1946 but were forced to retire from the race. However, it gave Mrs O’Brien the honour of being one of the first two women to sail in the now famous race, the other being Jane (Jenny) Tate from Hobart who sailed with her husband Horrie on Active.

Dagmar O’Brien sailed several more races with her husband on Wraith of Odin, even taking their three year old son Raud on the Sydney Hobart.

Almost 50 years later, as only the second owner, Keith Glover bought Wraith of Odin from Dagmar O’Brien and has lovingly restored the classic ketch, the work being done by Ken and Colin Beashel in Elvina Bay.

Since owning Wraith of Odin, Glover has sailed her across the Tasman to contest the 2010 famous Oceanridge Auckland Anniversary Regatta Race, New Zealand’s oldest nautical event.

The Australian yacht won the Classic Division 1 trophy by just one second from the classic racing yacht Rainbow, owned and sailed by Brad Butterworth, the Kiwi America’s Cup sailor. Wraith of Odin went to win the series, believed to be the first Australian yacht to achieve this.

A fleet of almost 80 keelboats contested the 179th Australia Day Regatta, Australia’s oldest nautical event on what could only be described as a ‘gloomy’ day with heavy cloud, rain showers and only light to moderate winds on Sydney Harbour.

Yachts in Division 1 (spinnaker) shortly after the start

The Classic Division 2 race went to Reverie, John Barclay and Nigel Berlyn’s gaff cutter, from the Ranger-class boat Cherub (M Pearse), third place on corrected time going to Anonyma II (Tony Curtis) which took fastest time.

In the fleet was Kelpie, the 122-year-old classic cutter skippered by Merrin Maple-Brown, which placed ninth on corrected time. Kelpie is thought to be the oldest Australian-built yacht still racing actively in the nation.

Classic yachts sailing in the 179th Australia Day Regatta on Sydney Harbour

Brindabella, arguably still the best remembered as line honours winner of a Sydney Hobart, got the gun in Division 1 (spinnaker) but placed last on corrected time. Two women helmed the first two boats on corrected time with the 8-metre class Defiance, skippered by Nicole Shrimpton winning from Wine-Dark Sea, steered by Sarah Goddard-Jones. Third place went to Charles Curran’s Sydney.

Division 2 (spinnaker) went to Yknot (Stephen Brady) from Hick-Up (Bill Ure) and James (Ray Entwistle) while Division 3 (spinnaker) saw the Yngling Black Adder, skippered by Gary Pearse, score an outright win, taking corrected time by just 16 seconds from Yertle (Jan Newland), third place going to Hornblower (Steve Sweeney).

Division 1 (non-spinnaker) went to Commercial Point Finance, a Sydney 38 skippered by Larki Missiris, second place to Bruce Dickson’s Norske and third to Chris Sligar’s Very Tasty.

Division 2 (non-spinnaker) saw a win for Mid Wicket (David Kinsey) from Magic (Chris Manion), third going to John Conroy’s Star Ferry, while in Division 8 (non-spinnaker) Primary Wave, skippered by Stephen McGrath, won a closely fought race for line and handicap honours from Tempus Fugit (Ian Forbes). Third place went to Kotero (Bob Walker).

Division 3 (spinnaker) shortly after the start of the 179th Australia Day Regatta

The short ocean race segment of the 179th Australia Day Regatta for the City of Sydney Sesquicentenary Trophy (handicap) and the Geoff Lee Trophy (line honours) was also the first post-Christmas race in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s two summer series, the Ocean Pointscore and the Grant Thornton Short Ocean point score.

Sailing in a freshening southerly breeze, Michael Cranitch’s Triton took line honours, but Tony Kirby’s state-of-the-art Ker 46 Patrice had a double handicap victory in the Ocean Pointscore, winning the IRC Division from About Time (Julian Farren-Price) and Triton, and taking the ORCi Division from About Time and Paul Clitheroe’s Balance.

Under PHS scoring the race went to Nev and Jo Blair’s Beneteau 47.7, Sports Bar, from Patriceand Chancellor (Edward Tooher).

In the Grant Thornton Short Ocean Pointscore fleet, Crusader (Jonathan Green) won the PHS Division 1 from Minerva (Tim Cox) and Stormaway (J Stening/C Gunn) with third place going to Justadash (Philip Dash) which also took IRC honours, winning from Michael Cranitch’s Triton and Stormaway.

In PHS Division 2 Crosshaven (Justin Pelly and Sean Rahilly) won from Amante (Dennis Cooper) and Soundtrack (John Amos).

Peter Campbell

New President for the Australia Day Regatta

The President of the Australia Day Regatta, Charles Curran AC, retired at the meeting of the Australia Day Regatta Advisory Council on 13 October 2014 after three years at the helm. He was succeeded by Matt Allen, well-known yachtsman and owner of the Carkeek 60 Ichiban.

Australia Day Regatta Chairman, John Jeremy, Retiring President Charles Curran and new President Matt Allen at the Advisory Council Meeting at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on 13 October 2014

Matt Allen is President of Yachting Australia and a past Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, a position he held from 2007 to 2010. He has competed in 23 Sydney to Hobart Races and was overall winner in 1983, is a past World Champion in the 11 Metre Class and four times winner of the Kings Cup. His yachting administration experience is extensive. He was Chairman of the Volvo Ocean Race Australian Challenge in 2005–2006 — he is a past Treasurer of the International Farr 40 Class, Chairman of the CYCA SOLAS Trusts since 2005 and has been a director of Yachting Australia since 2011.

Matt Allen is former Regional CEO and President of UBS AG Japan and Managing Director of Swiss Bank Corporation in Australia.

Chairman’s Report to the Annual General Meeting, 14 June 2014

The 178th Australia Day Regatta was sailed on 26th January 2014. Over 100 boats took part in the harbour regatta and the offshore race with nearly 700 boats taking part at the events conducted in New South Wales. The day began with some light rain but it cleared during the afternoon with light winds ensuring that the yachts provided a great spectacle on Sydney Harbour. This year, the cruise ship Pacific Pearl was secured to the Point Piper mooring near the start line, adding appropriate colour to the scene.

As usual, the support of the Australian Defence Force for the Regatta and the celebrations in Sydney generally was outstanding. This year our Flagship, HMAS Choules, commanded by CMDR Ashley Papp, sailed from Garden Island with the Regatta guests on board. The Governor of NSW joined the ship by helicopter before the ship moved to a position north of the Opera House for a Salute to Australia, involving a 21-gun salute by the Army and a flypast by RAAF jets. HMAS Choules then demonstrated her remarkable manoeuvrability by turning amongst the crowd of spectator craft for the passage to Clark Island to take up her position as Regatta Flagship.

HMAS Choules, Flagship of the 178th Australia Day Regatta

This year was the first time in many years that the Regatta did not have a major sponsor. The Commonwealth Private Bank decided not to renew their sponsorship but I would like to acknowledge the generous support that the Regatta received from the Commonwealth Bank over a period of ten years. With fewer sponsor’s guests, we were pleased to be able to invite members of the RAN International Fleet Review management team to join us on the Flagship as guests of the Regatta. As usual, the Regatta’s guests were made to feel very welcome on board Choules and left the ship very impressed — particularly with the unusual departure by landing craft through the stern of the ship.

I must also thank the organisations who have supported the Regatta by advertising in the Program, the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron for their cooperation and support in many ways, including the running of the harbour Regatta by the Sailing Office. Of course, the many volunteers from this committee and the participating yacht clubs make it all possible on the day and without them the Regatta would not happen.

The City of Sydney again generously provided the facilities and catering for the annual prizegiving which was held at the Sydney Town Hall on 18 March. The support of the Lord Mayor of Sydney is greatly appreciated. As usual it was great to see the enthusiastic young sailors there to receive their medallions and the recognition of their successes — the Australia Day Regatta is very much for them, our future sailors amongst whom, I hope, will be those who will ensure the continuing success of the Australia Day Regatta and other Australian sailing ventures in future years.

We were very pleased to be able to launch our history, The Australia Day Regatta, by Christine Cheater and Jennifer Debenham, on board HMAS Choules on Australia Day. RADM Tim Barrett, the Fleet Commander, did the honours and HMAS Choules provided a suitable ‘cake’ to be cut to celebrate the occasion.

Launching The Australia Day Regatta on board the Flagship, HMAS Choules

The completion of this book marks the culmination of the efforts of many people. The authors of course, but also the members of the Regatta committee, who spent many hours researching the details of Regattas past and finding illustrations from a wide range of sources, and the team at University of NSW Press. In particular I would like to acknowledge the designer, Di Quick, who produced a most handsome volume.

The history project has taken more years than we may care to recall, but throughout it has been driven by the persistence and enthusiasm of past Chairman and committee member Colin Davidson. We owe Colin a great deal for his effort in producing this record of our remarkable event. It is also appropriate that I acknowledge the support given to the project by the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Royal Australian Historical Society, the Commonwealth and State Governments and the City of Sydney.

This year some members of the Regatta Management Committee are not seeking re-election. They are Colin Davidson, David Davis, Colin Chidgey and Peter Campbell. All have made a great contribution to the success of the Regatta and I am sure that all members of the Regatta will join me in thanking them for their work. Of course, we are not letting them escape — just because they are no longer on the Committee it does not mean that they wont have continuing work to do, from maintaining our historical records to serving on the starting boat!

Change from time to time is healthy for all organisations and we are keen to revitalise the Committee with new and, hopefully, younger people to carry forward this traditional event.

The Regatta Management Committee has appreciated the support and advice of the members of the Regatta Advisory Council which met last November, later than usual because of the International Fleet Review in October. I would particularly like to thank our President, Charles Curran, for his wise counsel and advice throughout the year.

Later this year our Patron, Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir, Governor of New South Wales, will retire. Throughout her time as Governor, Her Excellency has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Australia Day Regatta, attending the lunch on board the Flagship on many occasions. I am sure that all members of the Regatta will join me in thanking her for her support and wishing her well for the future.

Next year we will celebrate Australia Day 2015 with the 179th Australia day Regatta. Planning is already underway.

John Jeremy

Chairman

Australia Day honours to Gretel II, Brindabella and About Time

Gretel II, the famous Australian America’s Cup challenger of more than 44 years ago, produced another fine sailing effort in yesterday’s 178th Australia Day Regatta on Sydney Harbour, taking line and handicap honours in the Classic 1 Division.

The start of the Classic Division 1 in the 178th Australia Day Regatta

Gretel II was one of several prominent yachts to sail to victory in Australia Day inshore and offshore races, with ocean-racer Brindabella winning on the Harbour and About Time taking out the Australia Day City of Sydney Sesquicentenary Ocean Race Trophy for the traditional Botany Bay race.

Former Sydney Hobart line honours winner Brindabella (Jim Cooney) scored a double win in the Open Division 1 of the Harbour regatta and Julian Farren-Price’s About Time won the Australia Day City of Sydney Trophy short ocean race to Botany Bay and return.

About Time had a great day at sea, also scoring wins under IRC and ORCi ratings in the CYCA’S Ocean Pointscore, sailed as part of the Botany Bay race.

On a day of light to moderate breezes, nearly 70 yachts and skiffs contested the Harbour Regatta which followed an aquatic spectacle of swimming races, the Ferrython, a Tall Ships race and spectacular Defence Forces events on and above the Harbour.

A fleet of 28 yachts contested the Botany Bay return race conducted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, retracing the course of the First Fleet from its original anchorage in Botany Bay to Port Jackson in 1778.

Gretel II, skippered by Michael Maxwell, current ‘custodian’ of the veteran but beautifully-refurbished 12-metre class yacht, outsailed her opposition, which included smaller metre class yachts and former Sydney Hobart racers.

Gretel II took line honours from the 30 square metre yacht Fagel Grip (Jerry Lees) and former ocean-racer Mister Christian (David Salter) and on corrected time won from Gusto (Phillip Denison) and Anitra V (Philip Brown).

Brindabella, back from contesting her 21st Sydney Hobart Race, elected for the colourful atmosphere of the 178th Australia Day Regatta on Sydney Harbour rather than the traditional Australia Day race to Botany Bay and return.

Australia’s best-known maxi yacht won a duel for line honours with Regatta President Charles Curran’s 60-foot harbour racer Sydney and on corrected time won from Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron contenders Huntress (Philip Grove) and Braveheart (Bill Meiklejohn).

Other division winners in the Regatta were Cherub (Mark Pearse), Akela (Alan Mather), Miss Pibb(Hamish Jarrett), Allegro (John Taylor) and Isea II (Matt Collis) while the Historic Skiff race went to The Mistake (Jeremy Sharp).

The Mistake, winner of the Historic Skiffs Race in the 178th Australia Day Regatta

Line honours in the Australia Day City of Sydney Trophy race to Botany Bay and return went to Upshot (Wayne Keavy) thus winning the Geoff Lee Trophy, donated by the late chairman of the Australia Day Regatta Management Committee, now headed by John Jeremy.

On corrected time, wellknown CYCA and RSYS member Julian Farren-Price steered About Time to first place from Pazazz (Rob Drury) and Outlandish (Sean Barrett).

About Time added wins under IRC and ORCi in Division 1 of the Ocean Pointscore to its City of Sydney Cup victory, winning IRC on corrected time from Merlin and Brannew. Under ORCi scoring, About Time won from Sydney Hobart competitor Midnight Rambler, skippered by Ed Psaltis, and Paul Clitheroe’s Balance.

From Peter Campbell

M: 0419 385 028

E: peter_campbell@bigpond.com

Wild Thing approaching the finish in the CYCA Ocean Race

Famous Yachts to Race in 178th Australia Day Regatta

Several of Australia’s most famous racing yachts will line up in next Sunday’s 178th Australia Day Regatta on Sydney Harbour while many prominent offshore racers will contest the traditional Australia Day race from Sydney to Botany Bay and return.

Entries for the Regatta close on Monday 19 January with the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron which conducts the behalf of the Australia Day Regatta Inc. Entries for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s race to Botany Bay close on Thursday.

The Australia Day Regatta, proudly acclaimed as the oldest continuously-conducted annual sailing regatta in the world, has been conducted each year since 1837 to commemorate the anniversary of the first European settlement of Australia.

Originally known as the Anniversary Regatta, this colourful event is held on Sydney Harbour, where it began, and also at other locations in New South Wales and offshore.

Boats taking part range from large ocean-racing yachts to 18 foot skiffs and radio controlled model yachts. In recent years some 700 vessels have taken part in the Australia Day Regatta making it one of the highlights of the celebrations on Australia Day each year.

A feature of the Australia Day Regatta luncheon aboard the Royal Australian Navy flagship HMAS Choules will be the launching of a history of the Regatta, originally known as the Anniversary Regatta and dating back to 1837. Guests will include the Governor of New South Wales, Prof Marie Bashir, Defence Chiefs and Civic leaders.

The Botany Bay Race for the City of Sydney Sesquicentenary Trophy starts from Watsons Bay at 11.00 am; the 178th Australia Day Regatta gets under way at 1.30 pm, with the start and finish near HMAS Choules.

Heading the Classic 1 division in the Harbour regatta is the former America’s Cup challengerGretel II, beautifully restored by owner/skipper Michael Maxwell. Other great yachts of the past in this division include Anitra V (Philip Brown) and Mister Christian (David Salter).

Classic 2 division includes Bill Gale’s Ranger, the gaff-rigger that has probably sailed in every Australia Day Regatta since she was launched in 1933.

Brindabella, arguably the most famous Sydney Hobart maxi yacht, now owned by Jim Cooney, will race in the Division 1 for modern yachts, competing for line honours against Australia Day Regatta President Charles Curran’s Sydney.

Brindabella won line honours in the 1997 Sydney Hobart and last month contested her 21st race to Hobart, finishing 17th in line honours in the 94 boat fleet. Sydney retired from ocean racing some years back but is still a regular competitor in the RSYS Division 1 races on the Harbour.

In addition to the various keelboat divisions the Australia Day Regatta will again see the Historical Skiffs in action while the modern 18-footers will race for the Lord Mayor’s Cup.

The Botany Bay Race is expected to attract between 30 and 40 ocean racers, including competitors from the recent Rolex Sydney Hobart. The race is the first post-Hobart event in the Grant Thornton Short Ocean Pointscore and the Grand Thornton Ocean Pointscore.

While the City of Sydney Sesquicentenary Ocean Race Trophy is for handicap honours, the fastest yachts will be racing for the Geoff Lee Memorial Trophy.

Last year winner on corrected time was Paul Clitheroe’s Balance while line honours went to Dick Cawse’s Vanguard.

Peter Campbell

0419 385 028 it yours.