2015 Association Cup

Close but not close enough! Unfortunately, the Royal Yacht Club Of Victoria retained the 2015 Association Cup sailed on Sunday 12th March by a slender margin from Sandringham Yacht Club with Royal Brighton Yacht Club third. The weather provided a variety of conditions to suit the various boats in the team so we have no excuses. This year the club made a major effort to select the best team and in some cases crews were recruited from other boats in an effort to improve the odds. In particular, Jason Close, our Sail Captain is to be congratulated for the time and effort he put into the challenge. On Friday the club was abuzz with crews, some were not even participating, stripping boats of excess weight and hulls being cleaned. Preparation wins races and there is no better example than Brett Averay, who was sailing on Terra Firma for the event. He spent the afternoon working on “Wicked”, even mousing halyards to save weight. The effort generated a team spirit which had not been seen before. Whilst we may not have won, it was great to see the team commiserating together in the lounge with the Commodore and some of the club officials after the results were known. The IRC team of ‘Terra Firma”, “More Noise” and “Wicked” (6 points) did well to finish 1 point behind a very strong team from RBYC (5 points) with the RYCV Adams 10 team (8 points) on third. This demonstrated that the Adams can be beaten particularly in the light weather, when the big boats can stretch their legs. Race I was highlighted by “Terra Firma” taking out the Adams at the start and finishing second overall. The racing between “Terra Firma” and “Primitive Cool” was another highlight throughout the regatta. “Terra Firma” had another good result with a with 4th in Race 3. “Wicked”, selected as the middle order boat with Mark Bulka steering and some “ring-ins” from the Sydney 38 joining the regulars did well to contribute a 6th , 8th and a 2nd. “More Noise” struggled in Race 1 and 3 but contributed a 6th in Race 2. Unfortunately, the AMS team of “Joust”, “Niche” and “ Horizon Sprint” had more competition under that system of handicapping and whilst second overall (8 points) to Royal Yacht Club of Victoria (4 points) lacked a little consistency. However “Joust”, chosen as the light weather performer proved a good selection winning Race 1 and “Horizon Sprint” a consistent performer in any wind won Race 3. ‘Niche’ was hampered by two OCS but recovered to be placed in Race 3. Based on this year’s effort, the club is on the right track to win back the Cup next year and strong foundations have been laid. Select the right boats, crew them well, involve the right people, generate a team effort, do the preparation and the Cup may well be returned to its rightful place in our trophy cabinet in 2016 .