The celebration of the 2023-24 Yachting season was held last night in a spectacular fashion, in both dress and venue, with the club turning back the clock to the 70s disco era.
Over 55 members were recognised for their placing this season across the Saturday Pointscore events, Wednesday, Thursday, Coastal Series, Winter events and Commodore Cup events.
This season saw 836 competitors enter into one or more of the 24 club series, with a total of 130 races held. In the regattas and events at the Alfred’s we welcomed 214 entries across 12 events.
The planning of the 2024-25 is well underway with the program to be published shortly with some major international events to be hosted by RPAYC.
Sailing equals –
Fun Family Friends Forever
Special Awardees
Each season a number of individual’s and peers are recognised for their outstanding performances, going above and beyond, and for achievements in sailing. The Yacht Race Committee discuss such awardees and have the pleasure of announcing the following special awardees for the 2023-24 sailing season:
Youth Development Squad
Dame Patty Jerseys
Awarded to the Best All Rounder – Male & Female
- FEMALE – BELLE HOLDSWORTH
- MALE – JOSH PAULSON
Colin Fossil Gun Boat Trophy
Awarded to the boat that gets the most “guns” in the Saturday Spring and Summer Series without winnings its division:
- BILL DAVIS – WINGS ELEVEN
Participation Award
Awarded to the boat that participates in the greatest number of club races throughout the season September to April:
- SCOTT ROBERTSON & STEPHEN JURD – BANTER
Charlie Barr Trophy
Awarded to the most improved boat in Division 3:
Greg has joined the Saturday Summer Pointscore for the first time this year with his SKUD 18 Sailability Liros and quickly progressed to the front of the fleet.
- GREG JACOBS – SAILABILITY LIROS
Trygve Halvorsen Trophy
Offshore Achievement of the Year:
Marc Depret joined the inaugural 2023 Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race as the only two-handed entry. He not only very competitively raced to Auckland he then, after a short stopover in Auckland and a change of crew, sailed the boat home two-handed. A combined rhumbline distance of more than 2500nm in a 30ft boat.
Marc has also been promoting and developing young two-handed sailors providing training and racing opportunities in his Figaro 3 Intiy.
- MARC DEPRET – INTIY
Club Yachtsperson of the Year
The RPAYC Club Yachtsman of the Year has enjoyed a stellar year in yachting. She is the Navigator of the maxi yacht URM, winning the CYCA Blue Water Pointscore Overall along with IRC Division 1. Winning 4 out of the 6 race series and second overall in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
As well as an incredible offshore season she also enjoyed an exceptional season on the Australian TP52 circuit on Matador as tactician. Matador dominated the 2024 TP52 Gold Cup and was crowned champions at her home club the RPAYC.
- ALICE PARKER
Alan Rich Trophy
Awarded to the best performing Yacht Overall:
- 1st Overall IRC Corinthian – 2023 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
- 2nd Overall IRC Corinthian – CYCA Bluewater Pointscore
- 1st Overall Wild Rose (minimum 25% female crew) –
- CYCA Bluewater Pointscore
RICHARD HUDSON – PRETTY WOMAN
Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year has worked tirelessly putting together fantastic events and activities over the past two years.
From Pirate and Disco themed presentations, special dining functions and a visit from the Phil Harmonia Cologne to FUNdraisers and promoting weekly social activities at the club, Kirsty has filled the RPAYC calendar with vibrant and popular activities.
- KIRSTY HUNTER
