A String of Coincidences
Classic Yacht Racing. Sydney Harbour Autumn 2026
By David Allen
David is a Melbourne based sail designer, performance analyst, sailmaker and sailor. He has participated in three America's Cup campaigns and been crew/watch captain in two Whitbread Round the World Races. He’s a professional sailor in numerous keelboat campaigns for world championship events. - Recently retired as sailing Master on NO LIMIT in Sydney, he still skippers the classic yacht SAYONARA and the int.12m KOOKABURRA in Melbourne. But most importantly he is current Tumlaren State Champion with his famous boat YVONNE.
David helming YVONNE with Aaron Cole (North Sails) trimming
It started, the longing, back at the sail loft in the early 90’s when a poster was stapled to the wall. Vanessa, International 8m class yacht, for sale. Every day, her curves and proportions would divert my eye with a magnetism that no other yacht could do. The price was out of reach so all I could do was sail her in daydreams.
VANESSA on Port Phillip in the 1950’s
Thirty years later the first of a string of coincidences happened. Warning! Cyclone arriving at Cape Reinga Saturday 11th April, 8 metre seas, 90 knots. Saturday was also our ETA at The Cape on the Solaris 47’ Moonspinner. We had sailed three hundred miles east of Tasman Island bound for New Zealand, Captain Mark made the call, “Abort. Bare away 60 degrees. We’re going to Pittwater.” There was a mix of disappointment and relief in this decision from the crew onboard. I felt a tiny spark of excitement. Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club planned their inaugural Classic Yacht Regatta on Sydney Harbour on that very day; we would make it to Sydney in time and there was a slim chance I could trade 8m seas for a ride on an 8 m racing yacht.
A call to Nicole Shrimpton, the driving force behind this Classic Regatta, to let her know of my pending availability resulted in the second coincidence. Both her 8m yachts Defiance and Frances were fully crewed with reserves on the bench, however someone in Pittwater was looking for crew. I call Peter Davidson, custodian of 8m Sandra moored in Elvina Bay less than a mile away! This could be it. We had a long chat about the strength and beauty of these boats and the hope of a resurgence in the class. He was heartened to hear that the 8m momentum was bolstered last October when Nicole bought Frances from RYCV in Williamstown and had shipwright FJ Darley spruce her up for a trip to The Harbour. Eventually Peter declined to join the regatta for only the one race. Although he was keen to line up against the other 8’s, his Max Creese designed and built 8m is not currently in racing condition with masthead rig and old sails. Peter and his wife have cruised Sandra for around ten years and for the right offer, he may be ready to pass her on.
While that conversation was winding up, I was dawdling along the floating marina at Church Point past Moonspinner and came to a sudden stop at the sight of a beautiful metre boat. About 50’ overall, long overhangs, two spreader fractional rig. . . It couldn’t be. . . But maybe it could! Then by sheer coincidence, two likely fellows carrying sailing gear bags approached. Coming into focus down the pier I could see they were wearing black sailing shirts with 8m and KA8 and Juana emblazoned in gold. This is how it went, coincidence three.
DA: “Hi there, this boat looks like an eight metre“.
RW: “Yes, that’s right”.
DA: “And would you be the owner?”.
RW: “Yes, Richard White, pleased to meet you. And this is sailmaker John Penfold”.
DA: “Pleased to meet you both, I’m guessing you’re heading off to Sydney for the Classic Yacht Regatta”.
RW: “Yes, we are leaving now for the CYCA, the northerly is building nicely, and it should be a quick trip”.
DA: “Looks like you might need some crew for the regatta?”.
RW: “Yes, we could do with one or two more”.
DA: “I’m your man. I’ll be there Saturday”.
Saturday morning at the Cruising Yacht Club, Rushcutters Bay. There is calm anticipation in the air. Crews with coffee in hand and sailing gear in calico hues wander onto the marina to prepare their gleaming, varnished classics. Defiance and Frances designed and built by E.O. Digby in Williamstown are together again after decades of separation. I met with Will from Sydney Rigging Specialists to get an update on the Frances rig rejuvenation. The alloy mast we had removed only a few weeks ago is now painted to colour match Defiance’s new varnished spruce. Beautiful. A previous owner of Frances, Capt. Michael Wood had a saying, “If it looks good from one chain away, then its right”. We were standing between the boats and they both looked exceptionally right. Adjacent, In the pond is my ride for the day Juana. She is a Gary Lidgard 8m design from 2004, modern winged keel and separate rudder below and classic lines above. The perfectly fair oyster-white topsides, polished winches on a teak deck confirm she is also well loved.
On the way to the starting line, between the western edge of the wharf on Shark Island and Royal Prince Edward’s flag mast, Richard warned me that Juana will be racing without a spinnaker and that he isn’t the greatest helmsman. I assure him that any expectations I hold have already been met. I was grateful to be invited out on Sydney Harbour amongst beautifully restored classic yachts, results and trophies had not even crossed my mind. The relaxed atmosphere around the starting area, admiring white sails and long overhangs, was all I could ask for. It was quite a sight generated by sixty-one yachts gliding between Shark Island and Point Piper. Smiles and waves of acknowledgement add to the good vibes when many like-minded sailors come together to display their love of an era of elegance.
A warning for division one to start was signaled by an orange flag draped out of the centre veranda window of the clubhouse. Five minutes later a blue flag replaces orange and we are off. Aboard Juana we lead at the windward end of the start line – amid the moored boats – while Defiance is at the Shark Island end and Frances styles a few avoiding actions to get going. A long upwind leg towards Kirribilli puts the three 8’s to the test. Passing Bradleys Head, our Juana is tracking well with Defiance but to windward and behind is the mighty Frances with clear air and gaining with good speed.
By the time we arrived at Cremorne the fickle westerly wind had re-arranged the fleet. Plym and Frances ahead, round the mark outside the Prime Minister’s house and set spinnakers, followed by Defiance, Juana and the 78’ Drumfire. As we slowly make our way down the harbour the sight of the remaining boats is spectacular. Vintage eighteen footers, timber enhanced Etchells and the square metre classes weave in and out of our path.
The course then takes us to Chowder Bay on the north shore, across to Rose Bay, around Shark Island, back over to Chowder Bay for a U-turn to Point Piper, then a very short spinnaker run to finish by the clubhouse. With six divisions sailing variations of this course, all the boats cross paths several times and enjoy a mutual appreciation of why we are out here. Events like this encourage like-minded people to rescue, restore and maintain our historic fleet of all shapes and sizes. To see sixty boats come together for the foundational regatta at Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club is reassuring that our sailing heritage is healthy.
Back in Point Piper at the clubhouse the front lawn is rapidly filling up with happy crews. The barbecue is on and drinks are flowing. We are all wearing crew shirts signifying which classic we’d sailed on, so conversations about crossing tacks and close mark roundings easily get under way. As the sun loses altitude the professional photographer laments that we are not still there on the water. Awards for elegance, restorations and racing are handed out. Three cheers go up for Gordon Ingate’s achievement for enduring 100 years and still racing classic yachts. The chatter continues, twilight arrives and people drift off saying, “see you next year”.
Full results to the racing can be found HERE
Many Thanks to the Andrea Francolini, a generous and long time supporter of this publication, for allowing us to use his stunning imagery.
In Melbourne later this year, the Classic Yacht Association of Australia will hold its 20th annual “The Cup Regatta”. It will be based at St.Kilda as part of the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron’s 150th anniversary, beginning on Friday 30th October and over four days. A few significant classic yachts are currently being restored with this event in mind.