Written by Warwick Crossman
Last Thursday, 13 March RPAYC hosted the first round of the 2025 ùNSW DF65 Traveller’s Trophy Series that turned out to be a very successful regatta.
Commodore Rob McClelland welcomed the visiting competitors to the Club over coffee in Halyards, before Phil Burgess & Race Officer Steve Merrington explained the race format for the day.
Twenty-seven competitors (there could have been more, but several members opted to help on the day instead of sailing) were transported to Rowland Reserve by the Club’s tender, where the course had been set up.
Pittwater turned on nearly perfect conditions, blue sky, flat water and gentle breeze that slowly clocked from NNW to NE as the morning progressed.
Merro kept the races ticking over until sixteen races had been run in two fleets, allowing competitors to drop the two worst results from their eight races.
John Wyatt, a visiting sailor from the Northern Mariners club, finished on top of the leader’s board for a very well-deserved win. RPAYC sailors Rick Murray and Gareth Pike took out 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
After the racing was over, everyone enjoyed lunch and a few cold drinks in Halyards before Vice Commodore Julia Hornsby helped out with the presentation.
Overall, the day ran smoothly, and thanks in no small part to the Club’s management and staff, the visiting sailors had a wonderful experience.
The Traveller’s Trophy series allows host clubs to gain experience running larger regattas while also offering sailors an opportunity to test themselves in more competitive fleets. The opportunity to host a round of the TT series is open to any interested clubs, with RPAYC hosting the first in the series for 2025. The next round’s “sailing ground” is yet to be determined, but it promises plenty more fun racing and great competition.
The next Masters Club Challenge, hosted by Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on Tuesday, 6 May, is also on the schedule for DF65 racing. RPAYC currently holds the trophy and won’t give it up without a fight!
Then on 17&18 May the NSW DF65 Championships will be held in Newcastle by the Port Hunter 16′ Skiff Sailing Club.
If you would like to get involved in DF65 racing at RPAYC visit the official RPAYC DF65 webpage today!