Please select your home edition
Edition
Switch One Design

Admiral's Cup – Take a wander down Australian yachting memory lane

by Di Pearson 30 Nov 2017 15:57 GMT 1-3 December 2017
Caprice of Huon at the 67 Admiral's Cup © CYCA

If you love old boats, history and a bit of nostalgia, then the three-day Admiral's Cup 50th anniversary regatta in Sydney starting Friday on Sydney Harbour will no doubt appeal.

It's been 50 years since Australia won the Admiral's Cup in Cowes for the first time. It was 1967, following our inaugural participation in the event two years earlier, when Australia finished second in the Cup which was first held in 1957 off Cowes in England.

In 1965 the Australian team comprised Caprice of Huon (Gordon Ingate), Freya (Trygve and Magnus Halvorsen) and Camille of Seaforth (Ron Swanson). The team placed second from eight nations, spurred us on to greater things in this prestigious competition held every odd year.

Two years later, in 1967, our team comprising Mercedes III (Ted Kaufman), Balandra (Robert Crighton-Brown) and Caprice of Huon (Gordon Reynolds) won the AC, prevailing over eight other nations and beating the second placed British team by 13 points. Hence the 50 year reunion.

All three owners are gone now, but the trio led long and rewarding lives. Kaufman, who in collaboration with Bob Miller (later famously known as Ben Lexcen) designed Mercedes III, died early in 2014 at the ripe old age of 94. Crighton-Brown, knighted in 1972, passed away in London in 2013 aged 93. Reynolds the 1967 team manager, a CYCA Life Member and founding member of Middle Harbour Yacht Club, passed away in 2005 aged 84. There is a lot to be said for sea air.

All three will be represented by their sons at the 50th reunion. Scott Kaufman has flown from New York to represent his late father Ted, co-designer and skipper of Mercedes III, Anthony Crighton Brown has arrived from London to sail on Pacha, in lieu of 1967 entry, Balandra, which is currently undergoing restoration, while Sydney brothers Tony and Rob Reynolds will take their late father Gordon's place on Caprice of Huon, with the boat's 1965 Gordon, Ingate, skippering.

And because the Admiral's Cup was a big prize in yachting, we kept going back for more – sailing against the best teams of three from around the world. The peak years were 1975, 1977 and 1979 when 19 nations competed.

We won again in 1979 - our team was Ragamuffin (Syd Fischer), Police Car (Peter Cantwell) and Impetuous (John Crisp and Graham Lambert)

Sagacious V's original owner, Gary Appleby, chartered his successful yacht to the American team in 1987, but will be at the helm of the boat, with seven of his original crew from that era including Bob 'Bashem' Fraser, Phil Morgan, Brad 'Keith' Stephens, Toby 'Puppy Dog' Richardson, Henry 'Hank' Paterson and Greg 'Vengeance' Johnson

Simon Kurts is skippering Love and War with four of his late father, Peter's original crew, including Peter Shipway, John 'Hanger' Harris, Mike 'Hessie' Hesse and John 'Munno' Munsen. John Wiggan and Doug Patterson (brother of Henry) will be aboard Caprice of Huon on different days, which will be steered by original owner, Gordon Ingate, who at 91 is still winning major Dragon titles. Sir James Hardy will be at the helm of Mr Christian, while Norman Rydge will steer Lorita Maria, replacing his late father, Sir Norman Rydge.

We won the Cup again in 1979, the toughest on record in which 16 sailors tragically lost their lives and over 100 rescued in the Fastnet Race, won by Ragamuffin. Our team was Impetuous (Graham Lambert and John Crisp), Ragamuffin (Syd Fischer) and Police Car (Peter Cantwell). Lambert and Crisp will assume control of their next boat, Too Impetuous, while Fischer and Cantwell will watch from support boats.

Race 1, on Sydney Harbour, scheduled to start at 1pm, then on Saturday the boats will sail a short offshore racing, starting from 10.30am. On Sunday, one final Harbour race, due to start at 12pm. A full social program has also been organised.

Of the entries, some boats are replacing others that are no longer or not available for this celebration event, though their vintage fits. Obviously the same people no longer own the boats, so thanks to those who have come to the party and provided for this special occasion.

Related Articles

Django Team to represent Italy at Admiral's Cup
Yacht Club Costa Smeralda launches two-boat campaign in historic return of the elite offshore race After a 20-year hiatus, the Admiral's Cup is back - and Italy is ready to make a bold return to one of offshore sailing's most legendary stages. Posted today at 10:23 am
Meet the CYCA's Admiral's Cup Team
Meet the skippers and sailors, get to know their roles and discover what makes their programs unique Meet the skippers and sailors, get to know their roles and discover what makes their programs unique. Posted today at 6:59 am
Sailing's Glitterati prepare for the Admiral's Cup
The depth and quality of talent is truly breathtaking. The 2025 Admiral's Cup is shaping up to be one of the most compelling editions in the event's storied history, featuring a glittering constellation of the sport's elite. Posted on 8 Jul
Women sailors reflect on Admiral's Cup inclusion
Pivotal milestones, but there is still so much more to achieve The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has long acknowledged the slow but steady path toward gender inclusion in offshore sailing. Posted on 11 Jun
CYCA team to take best shot at the Admiral's Cup
The Australian flag will fly proud on Zen and Back 2 Black The Australian flag will fly proud on Zen and Back 2 Black during the Admiral's Cup to be held in Cowes from the Isle of Wight from 17 July - 1 August. Posted on 28 May
World-class support confirmed for Admiral's Cup
Southern Spars, Harken Pro Care, and PredictWind all on board The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is proud to announce the support of Southern Spars, Harken Pro Care, and PredictWind for the highly anticipated 2025 Admiral's Cup. Posted on 17 Apr
RHKYC and RIYC set sail for Admiral's Cup
15 teams from around the world have entered prior to the 28th February deadline The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is delighted to announce that 15 teams from around the world have entered the 2025 Admiral's Cup prior to the 28th February deadline. Posted on 20 Mar
Royal Irish YC to participate in Admiral's Cup
Determined to bring the prestigious trophy to Ireland for the first time The Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC), is proud to announce its participation in the 2025 Admiral's Cup. The Admiral's Cup, often dubbed the 'unofficial world cup' of offshore racing, was first established in 1957. Posted on 22 Feb
More teams locked in for the Admiral's Cup
Recent team entries include the CYCA, YCM, YCCS and a Baltic Sea Team The Royal Ocean Racing Club is delighted to announce that confirmed entries for the 2025 Admiral's Cup have increased to 13 teams, with more teams set to be announced in the coming months. Posted on 4 Feb
CYCA announces Admiral's Cup Team for 2025
Representing the CYCA and Australia will be Zen and BACK 2 BLACK The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is proud to announce the Club's entry for the highly anticipated return of the Admiral's Cup in 2025. Posted on 7 Jan