News

  • News
  • 2015
  • Trophy presentation closes 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Trophy presentation closes 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Trophy presentation closes 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
71, BALANCE (AUS), Sail No: 7771, Design: Tp52, Owner: Paul Clitheroe, Skipper: Paul Clitheroe Protected by Copyright

Trophy presentation closes 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

The 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race came to an end on January 1 at the Grand Chancellor Hotel in Hobart, where the Official Prize Giving took place.

Welcoming guests, including Her Excellency, the Governor of Tasmania, Professor Kate Warner, A.M., Patrick Boutellier, General Manager, Rolex Australia; Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania Commodore Matthew Johnston said: “What another fantastic race we had. From the start, to the thrills and spills, to the comebacks, colour and the excitement of the Clipper fleet.

“And finally to the chase for overall honours between Balance and Quikpoint Azzurro that resulted in a win for Balance, second for the French yacht Courrier Leon and then Quikpoint Azzurro. It was another wonderful event and I congratulate all winners and all competitors.                                                                               

Before presenting trophies, Her Excellency, the Governor, spoke. “It is such a wonderful race, an internationally recognised race and it never fails to surprise. This year was a difficult start and the fleet had a tumultuous first day – and then the southerly buster hit causing 14 retirements by the first night.

“So many stories come out of this race and Comanche’s retirement and subsequent decision to carry on paid dividends. Congratulations to all.”

For Yacht Travelling from the Furthest Port to Compete, the Polish Trophy to Kings Legend (Gijs Van Liebergen)

First Armed Services Yacht on Corrected Time the Oggin Cup.to Discoverer of Hornet (Joint Services Adventurous Sail Training Centre)

For most meritorious performance as judged by the race committee, the Rani Trophy to Chutzpah (Bruce Taylor)

First Yacht Out of Sydney Heads, the Jack Rooklyn Memorial Trophy and Replica to Perpetual Loyal (Anthony Bell)

First Yacht Due South of Tasman Island, the F and J Livingstone and Replica to Comanche (Jim and Kristy Clark)

Third Over the Line, the CYCA Trophy. Rambler (George David)

Second Over the Line, the CYCA Trophy to Ragamuffin 100 (Syd Fischer)

Line Honours for the J.H Illingworth Trophy and Replica to. Comanche (Jim and Kristy Clark)

Rolex Yacht Master II Timepiece to Comanche (Jim and Kristy Clark)

Commodore Matthew Johnston presented the following trophies:

First Cruising Division for the CYCA Trophy, Shuguang Haiyang (Roy Pan)

Third PHS Division 2 for the CYCA Trophy, She’s the Culprit (The Culprit Syndicate)

Second PHS Division 2 for the CYCA Trophy, Wax Lyrical. (Les Goodridge)

First PHS Division 2 for the CYCA Trophy, Abracadabra (James Murchison)

Third PHS Division 1 for the CYCA Trophy, Duende (Damien Parkes)

Second PHS Division 1 for the CYCA Trophy, Mahligai (Murray Owen and Jenny Kings)

First PHS Division 1 for the RANSA Trophy and CYCA Trophy, .Helsal 3 (Rob Fisher and Paul Mara)

First Female Skipper – the Jane Tate Memorial Trophy to Da Nang Vietnam (Wendy Tuck)

Tracy Matthews, Director of TasPorts – The Tasmanian Ports Corporation, presented the following trophies:

Third ORCi Division 3 for the CYCA Trophy, Mayfair (James Irvine)                              

Second ORCi Division 3 for the CYCA Trophy, Wild Rose (Roger Hickman)

First ORCi Division 3 for the TasPorts Trophy Quikpoint Azzurro (Shane Kearns)

Third ORCi Division 2 for the CYCA Trophy, Chutzpah (Bruce Taylor)

Second ORCi Division 2 for the CYCA Trophy, After Midnight (Mark and Greg Tobin)

First ORCi Division 2 for the TasPorts Trophy - Uxorious IV, (Colin Buffin)

Third ORCi Division 1 for the CYCA Trophy, Celestial (Sam Haynes)

Second ORCi Division 1for the CYCA Trophy, Chinese Whisper (Rupert Henry)

First ORCi Division 1 for the Charleston Trophy, Balance (Paul Clitheroe)

The Honourable Will Hodgman MHA, Premier of Tasmania

The Premier, who is very hands-on with the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and its competitors said: “Another extraordinary event. It started in scintillating fashion and arrived in beautiful Hobart.

“I wish to thank the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, the hundreds of volunteers who support this event, and John Cameron, CYCA Commodore, who was of great assistance with our government to ensure the event was as successful as it was. To Rolex, a distinguished sponsor who makes our event distinguished.

“The race showcases our state of Tasmania and we look forward to welcoming you all back in late 2016.”

The Premier presented the following trophies:

Clipper 70 Division – the Stormhoek Social Spirit Award – At the end of each Clipper Race, Stormhoek Wines, the official wine partner of the 15-16 Clipper Race awards the Stormhoek Social Spirit Award to the crew which has shown great team and social spirit and is voted on by followers of the Clipper Race. This time the Stormhoek Social Spirit Award for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race goes to Da Nang-Viet Nam, skippered by the CYCA’s Wendy Tuck.

Third Clipper 70 Division for the CYCA Trophy, LMAX Exchange (Olivier Cardin)

Second Clipper 70 Division for the CYCA Trophy, GREAT Britain (Peter Thornton)

First Clipper 70 Division for the CYCA Trophy, Da Nang – Vietnam (Wendy Tuck)

Third IRC Division 4 for the CYCA Trophy, Wild Rose (Roger Hickman)

Second IRC Division 4 for the CYCA Trophy, Quikpoint Azzurro (Shane Kearns)

First IRC Division 4 for the Sir Arthur Warner Trophy and Replica, .Courrier Leon (Gery Trentesaux), which also receives the CYCA Trophy  

Third IRC Division 3 for the CYCA Trophy, Black Sheep (Derek and Martin Sheppard)

Second IRC Division 3 for the CYCA Trophy, Imagination (Robin and Annette Hawthorn)

First IRC Division 3 for the CYCA Trophy, Teasing Machine (Eric de Turckheim)

RORC Trophy and Replica goes to Teasing Machine (Eric de Turckheim)

50 Year Medallion for a record 50 Sydney Hobarts was awarded to Tony Cable, who received a standing ovation.  At 19 he started what became a famous ocean racing career in 1961 aboard the yacht Tarni, a 33-footer. The last five years Cable, or Glark, as he is called, has sailed on Damien Parkes’ Duende. Highlights include line honours on Vengeance and winning the line and handicap double on Sovereign in 1987. He sailed on Condor, Don Mickleborough’s beloved Southerly and his last five on Damien Parkes’ Duende.

A 25 Year Medallion was awarded to Sven Runow, who did his first Hobart aboard the 37ft Silver Minx in 1985. He joined the maxi yacht Sovereign, which he was aboard for the first of his four overall wins and seven line honours victories. when Sovereign was the first Australian boat to take the line and handicap double (1987). He also raced on Bumblebee 5 and on Wild Oats XI for her triple victories in 2005 and 2012.

Alderman Ron Christie, Deputy Lord Mayor of Hobart awarded the following trophies:

Third IRC Division 2 for the CYCA Trophy to Uxorious IV (Colin Buffin)

Second IRC Division 2 for the CYCA Trophy, Merlin (David Forbes)

First IRC Division 2 for the Peter Allsop Memorial Trophy and Replica to Rush (John Paterson) which also receives the CYCA Trophy

Third IRC Division 1 for the CYCA Trophy, Celestial (Sam Haynes)

Second IRC Division 1 for the CYCA Trophy, Primitive Cool (John Newbold)

First IRC Division 1 for the George Barton Trophy and Replica, Balance (Paul Clitheroe) which also receives the CYCA

John Cameron, CYCA Commodore said: “Competitors would describe the race as ‘cold, wet, a test of patience. We had one man (Tony Cable) sail his 50th and an 88 year-old (Syd Fischer) sail his 47th.  He also became the first to sail against a grandson (Brenton Fischer) – Ragamuffin versus Ragamuffin – and he said he will be back next year.

“I wonder why they return; cold, tired, wet, hungry. It’s for the competition, friendship and to share stories over scallop pies when they reach Tasmania.

“Ken Read (Comanche skipper) described conditions as some of the worst he has ever seen – it is truly a race like no other. The race is, without bias, the best in the world and I want to thank everyone involved.”

The CYCA Bluewater Pointscore champion, Balance (Paul Clitheroe) was announced.

Third IRC Division 0 for the CYCA Trophy, Comanche (Jim and Kristy Clark)

Second IRC Division 0 for the CYCA Trophy, Ichi Ban (Matt Allen)

First IRC Division 0 for the Rushcutter Trophy and Replica, Chinese Whisper (Rupert Henry) which also receives the CYCA Trophy

Third Corinthian Division for the CYCA Trophy, Abracadabra (James Murchison)

Second Corinthian Division for the CYCA Trophy, King Billy (Phil Bennett)

First Corinthian Division for the York Family Trophy, Quikpoint Azzurro (Shane Kearns), which also receives the CYCA Trophy

First Yacht under 18.5m LOA across the finish line for the Apollo Trophy goes to Ichi Ban (Matt Allen)

First Small Boat across the line for the Battery Point Trophy goes to Courrier Leon (Gery Trentesaux)

Third IRC OVERALL for the RYCT Trophy and Replica, Quikpoint Azzurro (Shane Kearns) which also receives the Storm Bay Cup and Replica

Second IRC OVERALL for the City of Hobart Trophy and Replica, Courrier Leon (Gery Trentesaux) which also receives the Bass Strait Cup and Replica, the Solo Trophy and Replica and the CYCA Trophy

Designer of Winning Yacht for the Alan Payne Memorial Trophy and Replica, Farr Yacht Design

Navigator of Winning Yacht for the Bill Owen Memorial Trophy and Replica, Nick Scott-Perry

First IRC OVERALL for the CYCA Trophy, Balance (Paul Clitheroe) which also receives the RORC Plaque and Replica, the Government of Tasmania Trophy and Rep.

Paul Clitheroe was then presented with the Tattersalls Cup and Replica. .Rolex Australia General Manager, Patrick Boutellier presented Balance’s owner with the Rolex Yacht Master Timepiece

“Balance is one of these wonderful amateur teams. We are just sailors who look forward to boating on weekends. I thank Bob Steel who sold me this great TP52.

“The nuttiest thing of all is I want to say thank you to the Derwent. From Tasman to the finish took about two hours and 20 minutes. I was worried about the tide, and Greeny (Mike Green, a veteran of 37 Hobarts) said, ‘You really are a Beneteau sailor, aren’t you. It doesn’t matter about the tide, we’re doing 20 knots!’

“Anyway, it’s a wonderful feeling to win this race and this trophy,” he said, clinging to the Tattersall’s Cup.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia congratulates all winners and each and every competitor in the 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. We look forward to seeing you on the start line in 2016.

Di Pearson, Rolex Sydney Hobart Media