Social Events
50th Anniversary Whisper Mug Trophy Race 2022
History
Sue and Neville Fielding moved into the cottage named ‘ Grans ’ at 146 McCarrs Creek Road , Church Point in mid 1971 . Most of their friends were mad keen sailors , and for the pre-Christmas party in 1972 they hatched the idea of a private yacht race . This was to be followed by festivities at ‘ Grans ’ where there would be a presentation of trophies and the amiable consumption of ‘ side bets ’. Entry was by invitation .
For the 2022 race we welcomed Neville ’ s Son , Scott ‘ Zebulon ’ Fielding .
The first invitation , to the 1972 race could best be described as being of ’ heraldic ’ form , starting off with ‘ Hear ye , Hear ye ’. A copy of this historic , and amusing document , composed by Neville , still exists and is retained in the RPAYC Archives . The invitations for the following races were somewhat less flamboyant although Neville ’ s beautiful cursive writing persisted and provided character . The invitation also requested that , for handicap allotment , the entrant provide either the TCF on the current IOR certificate for the yacht or the entrant fill in the required measurements as detailed on the entry form attached to the invitation ; a fairly comprehensive description of the yacht characteristics .
Why Whisper ? Whisper was a 30 foot LOA fractional rigged sloop designed to the 17 square metre rule ; substantially based on Peter Cole ’ s Avenger class but modified by her builder and original owner Jeff Clist . Subsequently she was owned by Neville and Sue Fielding , in partnership with John Quinn . She sailed only the first three races being second on handicap all three times . She won the Zebulon plate in 1973 .
King Tide ( Sydney 36 ), Jenny Danks and crew won the 2022 Whisper Mug !
The typical light winds race held the last Saturday before Christmas was a super charged southerly seeing the fleet finish the race to Dangar Island ( mark ) and back in record time . The wet weather clothing race was far from the summer days of the past .
Traditionally the race would see the course round Dangar Island but with larger yachts now competing from those in 1972 the Race Committee took to laying a mark allowing more yachts to enjoy the race .
The Saturday race was a great way to see out the end of the year .
Zebulon Plate was awarded for Line Honours to Revolver , Michael Ritchie . The Josie Trophy – Second on Handicap ( Overall PHS ) to Organised Chaos , Garry Gudmunson The Starters Cup – Third on Handicap ( Overall PHS ) to Bombolo , David Boekemann
Neville ’ s son Scott whom the Zebulon Plate is named after , was out racing on Puff and awarded the prizes for this year ’ s race . Scott recalled the early days of the race and the social events back at his family home that for him was a great fundraiser using the old ‘ cash for cans ’ system that bought him his first car . Scan the QR Code for further History of the Whisper Mug
The Alfred ’ s Annual 2020 - 2022 15