Fare Thee Well (Clive Gregory), which registered an emphatic win in Division 1, was an early Alan Payne design. First in Division 2 was Anitra V (Philip Brown), a famous Halvorsen sloop from the 1950s.

The two skippers shared the Windward Trophy, which for 30 years has been awarded to the winners of the Great Veterans Race. The event is open to any yacht that competed in the Sydney to Hobart Race prior to 1975, or was launched before 1975 and competed subsequently.

This year, for the first time, it was contested as a “stern chaser” pursuit race and the new format proved popular with the 19 yachts that took part. The large fleet was a tribute to the efforts of the local offshore community to reinvigorate the event as the 75 the anniversary of the Sydney-Hobart Race approaches.

Sailed in a variable SW breeze and predominantly overcast conditions, the race was strictly “no extras” and tended to favour the larger yachts. Among the famous old Sydney-Hobart entrants to take part this year were Fidelis, Stormy Petrel, Love & War, Lahara, Struen Marie, Lolita, Mister Christian, Mercedes III and Solveig.

The handicap starts provided an exciting spectacle as less than 9 minutes separated the entire fleet as they swept across the finishing line off Clarke Island.

By David Salter

Results:

Division 1
Fare Thee Well (Clive Gregory)
Suraya (Carl Sriber)
Defiance (Nicole Shrimpton)

Division 2
Anitra V (Philip Brown)
Nike (Sam Hunt)
Lahara (Mike Warner)