Yacht Racing
2017 Old Timers Race & Luncheon
A record number of participants have taken part in the Club’s annual Old Timers Race and Luncheon showing that age has no
barriers in sailing!
37 boats took to the start line on a light autumn morning all featuring an Old Timer on the helm skippering another Member’s
boat. To add to the charm of the event, Life Member, Jack Gale came out of retirement to RO for the race. Equipped with a glass
of wine and stylish Ran Ban sunglasses the race got underway to a clean start.
With the fleet making their way up Pittwater the sun started to poke through which caused the already light wind to become
even more unpredictable as it shifted around from three of the four cardinal points.
Winner of the race was Taffy skippered by long-time Member John Ellis. Coming in second was Alun Black skippering Bonnie
Lassie and third was past commodore, Angus Gordon sailing one of the Club’s Elliott 7s.
After the race over 200 Members and guests attended the luncheon, appropriately themed “Tall Tales of the Old Timers” Mem-
bers shared their fondest memories of the Club and Bob Fowler, Bill Buckle and Peter Kennett plus many others told their stories
and didn’t hold back!
Along with the stories the Old Timers quiz was another star of the show, written by Thomas Spithill which made for an interesting
result with some questions still needing answers. For photos to download visit:
http://rpayc.fotomerchant.com/rpayc-racing/rpayc-club-racing/old-timers-2017
Milly Bennett Wins the 2017 Gwen Slade Regatta
Light, shifty breezes ranging from the north back to the south saw six Etchells compete on Saturday 29 April in two windward/
leeward sprint races for the 37th Gwen Slade Ladies Etchells trophy.
The Gwen Slade regatta is a one design, Etchells regatta with women at the helm of each boat. The regatta started in 1981 by
Russell Slade in honour of his wife Gwen, and to encourage women sailors.
This year, Milly Bennett and her team, sailing in Commodore Ian Audsley’s Kalika III sailed with precision in the challenging
conditions to take out the 2017 Gwen Slade Regatta for the second time. Milly also won the 2015 Gwen Slade Regatta in Kalika II
Katie Pellew and her team, which included Nina Curtis, sailing in Seawings had a good event however the team didn’t get the win
in the last two races but performed strongly enough to take 2nd place overall.
3rd place went to Hannah Lanz and
her team with Head Coach Tom
Spithill who did very well against more
experienced competition.
The conditions were very tough to
navigate through Pittwater but on a
positive note the competitors enjoy
some autumn sun. Congratulations
to all those who competed and a big
thanks to all the Race Officials.
Results are as follows;
1st – Kalika 3 - Milly Bennett
2nd – Seawings – Katie Pellew
3rd – PAM – Hannah Lanz
4th – Whisper – Clare Costanzo
5th – Arlotta – Annie Taylor
6th – Miramar – Prue Bennett