Thursday, 30th March 2017
With perfect conditions on Sunday 26 March five SYC vessels with a steely resolve set forth to once again face the “old enemy” – Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club from Williamstown. As the SYC boats departed our East and West channels the RVMYC boats could be seen on approach. And to quote Banjo Paterson; “all the cracks had gathered to the fray”. The respected RVMYC motor boats were all there; Casa Verde, High Tide, Pookanah, Rob Roy, Blue Tango and Raphael together with Fifty-Fifty from MMYC.
One would imagine the RVMYC lot – who concentrate hard on Navigation Rallies – had a right to be confident that at least one of them would take the SYC Cup back to Williamstown once again.
However SYC’s IV by VIII skippered and navigated by David and Kate McCutcheon respectively, had other ideas. Some years ago after becoming SYC Members David and Kate stated their determination to win back the SYC Cup which had not been won by an SYC boat for nearly two decades. They practiced tirelessly for this event and year by year started to move up the placing ladder of this competition.
Kate and David on IV by VIII performed brilliantly to score an extraordinary nine points and won the event followed closely by RVMYC’s Casa Verde – Chris Ackerman (11 points), RVMYC’s High Tide – Bob Battye (14 points) and RVMYC’s Pookanah – Owen Smart (15 points).
Hearty congratulations to David and Kate McCutcheon on IV by VIII who once again proved Margaret Thatcher right when she said “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.”
The other SYC entrants; Seabird II – Phil Strong and Vixen – Craig Wiley put in credible efforts while Gillian – Bill Stubbs maintained his normally very high score and came ‘stone motherless’ due (again) to some dubious navigational and throttle decisions. Regrettably Jimmy – Bruce Saunders was a DNF due to engine troubles.
On arrival back at the KKC all entrants enjoyed a well-earned barbeque (together with a few cold beers) beautifully prepared by Vikki Kostos, Dawn Cleaver and Gill Stubbs. This completed a wonderful event and a very proud day for the Sandringham Yacht Club.
