Peter Demura
Autumn is a wonderful time in Melbourne with gentle breezes and warm days. The first few weeks have, apart from the odd day here and there, been no exception. We have been blessed with ideal sailing conditions, and the Club and our sailors have been extremely busy. Over the Labour Day long weekend, the Club hosted the Opti State Titles with 80 Opti sailors, while the following weekend in what felt more like a mini–World Championship, 22 Etchells competed in the Victorian State Titles. All this would not have been possible if not for the dedication of the RBYC staff and volunteers. The Club received generous accolades ranging from Olympians, World Champions to Opti sailors and parents. As Commodore I’m proud to acknowledge the efforts of everybody involved and confirming RBYC and Port Phillip as one of the premium race venues in Australia and beyond.
This past weekend saw the Club well represented across all divisions in the final two races of the Range Series, while the Cruising yachts sailed race 6 of the Ingénue Trophy. Congratulations to all who competed and represented our Club.
This weekend we have the VX State Titles which, given the long-range forecast, should provide some exhilarating sailing for the competitors.
On the social side, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained with the Friday night Draw (there was a winner last week), music on the deck on Fridays and Sundays and other activities. Members and guests are encouraged to make the most of the Autumn weather and enjoy an evening or afternoon in the Royal Enclosure with fine food and drinks.
Sir Thomas Lipton Regatta – San Diego Yacht Club
The San Diego Yacht Club has invited Royal Brighton Yacht Club to apply to challenge for the Sir Thomas Lipton Challenge Cup in the 111th running of the regatta, which will be held later in the year in San Diego. Since the first time the regatta was held in 1903, this has been the most prestigious trophy contested in Southern California and one of the most coveted on the West Coast. Based on the applications, 11 teams will be selected to challenge for the Cup.
This year’s event will be held October 30 – November 1, 2026. This is typically a time of beautiful autumn weather with clear sunny skies in San Diego. To ensure fairness, the regatta will be sailed round robin using equalized J/105 yachts provided by SDYC. These boats are chartered from local J/105 owners and, because of their ongoing participation in local events, are maintained at a high calibre.
If you are interested in exploring the possibility of forming an RBYC team and/or would like additional information, could you please let me know, via the Club’s reception ASAP and we will convene a meeting of interested people. Applications close on May 1.
Wishing you fair winds and following seas and remember no bananas at sea.
Peter Demura
Commodore