CYAA Cup Regatta 2025 – Day3

November 2, 2025
2:22 pm

And so it came to pass in the two thousand and twenty fifth year, that that Cup Regatta was run and won. It is a strange phrase that “it came to pass”; The feeling of anticipation, it passes; tears and disappointment they pass, exaltation and exhilaration they pass, the aching muscles and bruises they certainly pass but two things that never pass are your memories, memories of a great regatta ,and friendship, those of the old friends you have caught up with once again as well as the new friends you have made. This is what the Cup Regatta is all about. No playing for sheep-stations here.

Seventeen boats lined up to meet the starter off the breakwater at St.Kilda in a freshening 12-15kt northerly wind. The course took the boats from RMYS D, across to RMYS C then down to R2 for the slog, I mean beat, back up to D mark with a second loop back to RMYS B. By the time they would receive the hooter, the breeze was nudging over 25kts which allowed for some late excitement.

Close racing across all divisions was observed and the race committee got it right with the entire fleet finishing within 17min of each other.

In Division 1, whilst Mercedes IV got the line honours nod, it was the back of the fleet who stormed through to take the overall honours, with Marie Louise III heading Cyan with Mercedes IV rounding out the podium.

Division 2, the Tumlarens, saw Yvonne continue her stellar run, cleaning up by eight minutes from Dingo who was left chomping on road kill in the form of Ettrick in third with 1sec separating them on handicap.

In Division 3 it was Marama, with John Russell-Cook who again flushed it, taking the chocolates from Rob Pullin in Astrud, and David McNeice in Akala.

In Division 4 it was once again Rob Tucker and team in Morning Star who continued her stellar form coming in a just on a minute ahead of Tony Kinsman in Joan. Without some troubles a the start Joan may have been able to exert a little more pressure at the pointy end. Rounding out the coutas was Lucy with the double ender net-boat Jean chomping at their heels.

In Division 5, Geoff Stevens and the Hotspur crew continued their dominance recording a clean sweep for the event. It was great to have their involvement and hopefully in future we’ll see more modern classics on the course to give them a little competition.

In all it was a great days racing to round out what was a terrific regatta.

Thank you to all who competed and ensured that yourselves and your classic yachts were presented in such sparkling fashion. It was a sight to behold and certainly rivaled the birdcage at Flemington.

A special thank you to those who came from afar to be involved. We had boats from Sorrento and Geelong make the trip up the bay to be part of it. We had Tasmanians, Queenslanders, and of coarse our New Zealand friends who once again brought their personality and enthusiasm which only enhances our event. We trust that it was worth the effort.

Also thank you to Damian, Michael, Owen, Simone and the team at RYCV. You guys were fantastic and the regatta would not have been the same without your great support and to James wood with Margaret Pearl and Neil Langford with Yoralla who provided such splendid viewing platforms out on the water.

Alex Mckinnon was the official photographer for the 2025 Cup Regatta. We are very fortunate to have Alex onboard for this year. Thankyou Alex.

To browse the full gallery and to purchase high resolution versions of each image visit the gallery here.