Please select your home edition
Edition
Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca 2025

Melbourne's Classic Yacht Cup Regatta begins

by Peter Costolloe 28 Oct 2022 23:34 BST 29-31 October 2022
Yvonne in the farmer's shed © Classic Yacht Association of Australia

Melbourne's Classic Yacht fleet begins three days of full on Classic Yacht Cup Regatta racing from this Saturday 29th October.

Over seventeen years of classic yacht regatta racing, the theme has been constant: Something old something new. This year the regatta theme is wrapped up in one word - YVONNE.

Since her 1938 launch for Joe White of Acrospire fame, the Knud Reimers designed Tumlaren, Yvonne, never put a foot wrong during her years of one design racing at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron. Never less than second place in seven years, plus a host of class and State titles, gave her a yachting pedigree that is second to none.

Now, after twenty of so years in a farmer's shed, and then a six-year restoration led by that professor of all things Tumlaren, Roger Dundas, who led a team of three hearties and four helpers, Yvonne, now under the helm of Dave Allen, ace Tumlaren skipper and also of No Limit fame, is all set to restart her tradition as the top performing Tumlaren on Port Phillip.

Competing with Yvonne of overall Cup Regatta performance honours will be six other Tumalrens, plus Mercedes III with her never to be repeated 1967 Admirals Cup record, and the Joe White Acrospire III. A fleet of ex-Sydney to Hobart campaigners is also in this competitive mix. A fleet wild card for Cup Regatta silver is the Philip Rhodes designed Scimitar that was built over three generations of the Geelong based Purcell family.

On the one design side of the Cup Regatta, we will see a seven strong fleet of Tumlaren competing for the Digby family trophy used to recognise the restricted 21 foot one design racing on Port Phillip. Another first time happening for the Classic Yacht Cup Regatta.

The Cup Regatta social scene kicks off on Friday evening with the traditional welcome to the Cup Regatta skippers and crews, and our long standing supporters from the Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand, plus our interstate visitors. The feature trophy for the CYAA Cup Regatta is the Tony Blake trophy. This trophy was donated by New Zealand's Marine Artist Tony Blake that depicts the1907 Sayonara Cup battle between Sayonara and Rawhiti.

To bring the on water action alive Alex McKinnon that dynamic marine photographer will be on the water to record all the close quarter classic yacht action.

Related Articles

12th Classic Yacht Symposium closes
An international audience of 350 gathered to hear a series of world class keynote speakers HM King Harald of Norway received the Singoalla award for his lifetime dedication to sailing and the preservation of classic yachts. Posted on 30 Mar
Register now for Vele Classiche di Puccini
A gathering for vintage boats to the music of Giacomo Puccini in Tuscany Registration is now open for "Le Vele Classiche di Puccini", the only gathering for vintage boats to the music of Maestro Giacomo Puccini scheduled for 26-27 April 2025 in Torre del Lago, Tuscany on Lake Massaciuccoli. Posted on 30 Mar
Tumlaren Victorian State Titles day 1
Fleet revel in Port Phillip's 19 knot conditions With the City of Melbourne as background, Port Phillip, with its infamous short and one metre choppy conditions put out the challenge to six of the best (Tumlarens that is). Posted on 29 Mar
2025 Tumlaren State Titles preview
88 years of Tumlaren One Design yacht racing on Port Phillip This weekend, 29th and 30th March 2025, the 2025 Tumlaren State Titles, will showcase one design racing that has survived and thrived over 88 years of weather tantrums thrown up by Melbourne's Port Phillip. Posted on 24 Mar
CYA Summer Series 2024/2025 on Port Phillip
The eight race series title was a last race, down to the wire, close run thing The eight race series title was a last race, down to the wire, close run thing. On Mercedes IV's heels, point score wise, were the Arthur Robb designed, Akala, a multiple Sydney to Hobart contender and the New Zealander, Marama, designed by Alan Wright. Posted on 17 Mar
Tumlaren State Titles Preview
88 years of competitive one-design racing on Port Phillip waters Now in their 88th year of one design racing, the world's largest fleet of the Knud Riemers designed Tumlaren are still at their hard racing best. Posted on 10 Mar
2025 Superyacht Challenge Antigua overall
Close competition and perfect sailing conditions For four exhilarating days, the stunning waters off Antigua played host to the 14th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua, bringing together a fleet of majestic yachts, passionate sailors, and an atmosphere charged with competition and camaraderie. Posted on 10 Mar
Falmouth Classics 2025 set for June
One of the largest classic sailing events in the UK The Fal and Falmouth Bay provide one of the most attractive sailing environments in the UK and will host the 38th Falmouth Classics Regatta from 13 - 15 June. Posted on 10 Mar
2025 Superyacht Challenge Antigua day 3
Super Saturday and questionable fashion choices The second race of the series was held in superb conditions off the South Coast of Antigua with a light to moderate easterly wind at the start. Posted on 9 Mar
2025 Superyacht Challenge Antigua day 2
Sailing skills and paddleboard thrills A tricky first day of racing for the Superyacht Challenge Antigua with 9-13 knots of breeze from the southeast oscillating throughout race-time. Posted on 8 Mar