The 52nd Dicko Cup at RPAYC brought together sailors, cruisers, and beachgoers for a weekend full of competition, camaraderie, and, of course, a few surprises! Here’s a rundown of the highlights from this memorable regatta.
Day One: Racing with a Twist
The first day saw some exciting finishes. Revolver was first across the line, followed closely by Windy Too. But it was DAGET2 that was first to reach the beach for presentations—a true win in our book! In the non-spinnaker division, King Tide, skippered by Jenny Danks, led the fleet home.
But as every Dicko Cup veteran knows, it’s not all about speed. After handicaps were applied, the results shook out as follows:
• 1st Place: Frida (Tim and Natasha)
• 2nd Place: Banter (Scott Robertson)
• 3rd Place: Waterbird Three (Roger)
Special mentions went to the fantastic women sailors of the regatta, including Joanne Brewer on Coyote, Pru Bennett on Cloudbreak, and Jenny Danks on King Tide. Great to see theses sailors do so well.
The last boat award went to the smallest boat award went to Bunyip, sailed by Josh Polson and Bayley Taylor, who sailed their yacht perfectly.
Beachside Shenanigans
Off the water, the fun continued with the much-anticipated Racers vs. Cruisers beach volleyball match. The teams played with passion, leaving the result tied at one match apiece—proof that everyone’s a winner at Dicko Cup!
The treasure hunt for buried bottles of rum added an adventurous twist to the day. While only two bottles were found, one remains hidden, waiting to be discovered by a lucky beachgoer in the future. Keep your eyes peeled!
Day Two: The Return Race
On Sunday, a beautiful southeast breeze greeted the fleet for the return race to Pittwater. Starting at Challenger Head, the boats sailed around Lion Island and down the sparkling waters of Pittwater.
The first boat home was Banter, followed by Bullwinkle, Sojourn, and Daydream. The overall standings for the 52nd Dicko Cup were:
• Winner of the DICKO Cup: Banter (Scott Robertson and crew)
• 2nd Place: Sojourn
• 3rd Place: Daydream
A huge congratulations to Scott Robertson and his crew aboard Banter for taking home the prestigious Dicko Cup trophy for 2025!
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
This incredible regatta wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and enthusiasm of the RPAYC team. A massive thank-you to Rear Commodore Cruising Greg Dunstan for organising the beach activities, from volleyball to treasure hunting, and even cooking up a mean barbecue with all the onions your heart could desire!
Kudos also go to Rear Commodore Activities, Verity Powers, and Commodore Yacht Race Peter Farrugia, for their coordination, encouragement, and camaraderie on and off the water.
The 52nd Dicko Cup was more than a race—it was a celebration of fun, teamwork, and the joy of being part of the RPAYC community. Here’s to many more years of making memories together!
Rob McClelland
Commmodore
