Sydney Harbour will host a gathering of historic racing yachts on Saturday 9 May, when the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia holds its Great Veterans Race. Every entry must have been launched before 1996 and carry at least one Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on its record, making this one of the most evocative events on the Australian sailing calendar.
For any owner whose vessel qualifies, the message is simple: get your entry in. The chance to race alongside the very yachts that forged the Sydney Hobart's reputation does not come around often. The event has been running for years, though its fleets shrank for a time before a strong resurgence over the past five years. The format is a non-spinnaker pursuit race, with the course stretching from Clark Island through Sydney Harbour to the area around Sow and Pigs Reef, the fleet completing several circuits.
Twenty-nine entries have been received so far, and one of them carries a story that stands apart. Cadence, a Carmen-designed keelboat built by Ron Swanson, now races out of the Gosford Sailing Club under owner Andrew Purnell and will be making her Great Veterans Race debut. The 30-footer is no ordinary newcomer. Sixty years ago, in 1966, Cadence claimed the Overall prize in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, and to mark that anniversary she will be on display in the CYCA Pond on both Friday 8 and Saturday 9 May before heading out to join the fleet at the start.
Solveig, a Halvorsen 36 Masthead Cutter, brings an outstanding Sydney Hobart record to this year's fleet. Owners John Whitfield and Annie Lawrence will sail her on 9 May. When Solveig was campaigned by her builders Trygve and Magnus Halvorsen, she became the first yacht to claim Line Honours and the Overall win in separate years of the race, taking Line Honours in 1953 and the Overall victory in 1954. The 1954 win was helmed by Captain Stan Darling DSC VRD RANR, whom Peter Shipway of the CYCA's Classic Yacht Committee describes as a "significant figure" in the history of the Sydney Hobart. Captain Darling won the race on corrected time five times, aboard Solveig in 1954, Anitra V in 1957, Freya in 1963 and 1964, and Pacha* in 1971.
The Halvorsen connection to this year's race extends further, with Anitra V also on the entry list. The Halvorsen 38 was built and owned by Trygve and Magnus Halvorsen. Anitra V claimed the Overall win in 1957 and finished second Overall in 1956, 1958, and 1959. Captain Darling served as navigator aboard her for the 1956, 1957, and 1959 races.
"In four years, she had a win and three seconds," Shipway said of Anitra V. "Within those two boats [Solveig and Anitra V] there's significant statistics." Shipway will be racing aboard the S&S 47 Love & War, and he is looking forward to seeing the Halvorsen yachts and the rest of the fleet out on the water. "What I most enjoy about this race is seeing all the other veteran Sydney Hobart boats out on the water in great condition," he said. "I also love sailing with people who have a passion for older boats and the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race."
As a mark of respect for the late Gordon Ingate and Bill Ratcliff, whose contributions to the Club were immense, competitors will have the opportunity to fly Black Ribbons from their rigging. Ribbons will be available from Reception prior to racing.
