A kaleidoscope of displays, fun activities, speeches and the official opening for the 2024/25 season of Hillarys Yacht Club by patron Caitlin Collins MLA, Member for Hillarys, was the ideal prelude to a colourful parade of paddlers, dinghies, yachts and power boats prior to the main event: the Commodore’s Cup.

Fearing a repeat of the glass-out for the event last season, 20 yachts ventured out in a gentle wind, whispering from the west: “I will not fail you this time”. And it did not, despite waxing, waning and veering, the westerly shifted sou-west and reached 10 knots at times. The shortened D2 course provided for fun spinnaker runs from Foam to Marina, Whale to Beach, Beach to Sorrento, and if you were desperate, from the channel marker to the finish.

A reconstituted division one fleet of nine embraced those racing with spinnakers and those choosing not to do so. First across the start line on starboard, Ian Holder (Bad Habits) made a brilliant tactical move to tack onto port and managed to cross the fleet to gain clear air to the north. From there Bad Habits was never headed to finish nearly six minutes ahead of Lithium (Wayne Pitcher) and Mulberry (Mark Pitt). Bad Habits won the Commodore’s Cup with Mulberry second and Circa (Martin Eyer) third. Also out there were Sophia, Perle, Mimosa, Resolute and Deckchairs Overboard. Whispering Jack languished on the hard stand and will be a welcome return along with Surfer Rosa and Seachange.

In a fleet of six division two yachts, Covert Operation (Bart Brouwer) won the start and after a great tussle with Blue Chip (Keith and Deborah Fisk) was fastest but they had to settle for second and third places in the Commodore’s Cup behind the winner, Volant (Emille Janssen, Frank Hageman, John Ball and Kevin Meta). This fleet included Panache, Pinta and Show Me and will be strengthened with the return of Farrouk, Helga and Not Negotiable.

Ken and Des Luplau’s Beneteau First 35, La Premiere was first and fastest in division three ahead of Vaya Con Dios (Chris Blackney) and Catabatic (Rob Bills), all in very respectable times that would have pushed the division two fleet. Stelfred (Laraine Brindle) and Kind of Blue (Boyd Timler) fell victim to the light wind conditions and length of the course for the division, and heeded the call to the bar and entertainment back at the Club.

Presentation of the pennants and trophies to the winners in each division by Commodore Graham Townsend took place in the Marina Room afterwards where celebrations of the very successful Opening Day continued long into the evening.

John Bird