2025 Huntingfield Cup

The Jubilee national titles regatta for the Huntingfield Cup was hosted by the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club on beautiful Lake Macquarie. There were 11 competitors from three states making it truly a national event. Jubilees came from NSW (1), Queensland (4) and Victoria (6). The regatta was set over 4 days from the 9-12 October but with a lay day to be included which proved to be a good call due to extreme winds.

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On Wednesday the 8th October, 11 Jubilees were launched from a boat ramp then tied up to the southern side jetty due to strong winds expected from the North West.  However, Thursday was predicted to be a pleasant 8 to 12 knots and two races were planned but as the 11 Jubilees were preparing for the start of Race 1 the day was abandoned as the wind built to an unexpected 41 knots.

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On Friday 9th we ventured out again to much more pleasant conditions for Race 1 at 12 knots but much livelier in Race 2 at 18 knots. Both races were Course 1 of a triangle, windward return and another triangle for a downwind finish. We had our first retirement when an incident on J 45 Jessica saw Maree knocked overboard following being hit on the head by the boom. A visit to medical services confirmed Maree had concussion and Jessica was retired from the regatta. Maree did recover and spectated for the remainder of the weekend.

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A regatta dinner was held Friday evening in the recently opened LMYC Pavillion Room at which JYAA President Leonie Crosbie spoke with an interesting twist reflecting on the 90th anniversary of the class and also a variety of other significant events that occurred in 1935.

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The plan for Saturday was for three races but the weather came into play again. Race 3 was held in lighter conditions and with another retirement when Asanvari’s boom snapped as a consequence of a minor collision with Renaissance.  ​Race 4 was a windward leeward course sailed in only 7 knots of breeze but when the forecast changed, Race 5 was postponed due to the North Westerly building to 35 knots by mid afternoon. Races 5 to 7 were held on the Sunday again in brisk but enjoyable conditions.

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Ultimately, notwithstanding J133 Scorpion achieving 4 wins over J130 Balcombe Bay’s 3 wins, it was Michael Morrow and daughter Siobhan Dent in Balcombe Bay winning the Regatta with 10 points ahead of Charles Weatherly with father and son Ben and Cooper Brown on 11 points.

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Balcombe Bay also won the Les Pound Trophy awarded to the first Victorian boat and also the Charles Peel Trophy awarded to the winner of the final race.

The Victorian JYAA Trophy was awarded to the first New South Wales Boat being Renaissance. The Waree Cup was awarded C-Charm for being the first Queensland Boat. The Porge and Ray Trophy was retained by Asanvari skipper Leonie Crosbie as the highest placed Victorian boat helmed by a female.

The President’s Award was a new initiative and presented to Fred Cantwell aged 11 who was a junior helmsman skippering J115 Mudlark.

Click below for Regatta report and full details of times and places for each race .