Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine 2019 728x90

New trophy to support Dragon competitors

by Jeanette Severs 26 Jan 21:45 GMT 27-29 January 2023

Metung Yacht Club's International Dragon Class fleet was built from small beginnings, just like its founder.

Robert Trenberth began sailing as a teenager, then progressed to racing on a multi-crew yacht, based at The Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron. After a lull in his adult years, Rob moved to Metung (in Victoria, Australia) in 2000 and began sailing again.

He started with a Flying Fifteen, and in 2015 progressed to a one design yacht, the International Dragon class.

Rob was an enthusiastic adopter of the class, buying 'St George'. Another MYC member, Terry Grundy, quickly purchased several more Dragons and the fleet had 10 boats.

Rob's vision was for a dedicated Gippsland Lakes Dragon regatta.

"As the size of the fleet increased, with its enthusiastic skippers participating in training and sailing programs, it seemed to me it was time for a dedicated Gippsland Lakes Dragon regatta, and a dedicated trophy," Rob said.

A three-day regatta was planned and the winner's trophy was struck in the name of Charles Stephenson.

The Charles Stephenson Trophy is one of those on offer during this weekend's International Dragon Class 2023 Victorian Championship, being raced on Lake King, at Metung.

After organising a number of regattas, Terry Grundy and Rob Trenberth proposed that Metung Yacht Club bid to host the 2018 Prince Phillip Cup.

"This was the International Dragon Class Australian championship regatta," Rob said. "With the support of Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Metung Yacht Club's bid was accepted." Rob Trenberth became the captain of MYC's Dragon fleet and worked with MYC skippers and crews to develop training and development strategies.

"These strategies were able to build the skills of local Dragon crews," Rob said. He also worked informally to build linkages with Dragon sailors in nearby Paynesville, with the fleet at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club (on Port Phillip Bay), and with interstate fleets.

MYC's links with the International Dragon Association were formalised with Terry Grundy on its governing committee, and Rob Trenberth a member of the Victorian association.

Rob was also elected to the role of Vice Commodore of MYC, and chaired the organising committee for the 2018 Prince Phillip Cup, held at Metung.

"These links were essential to successfully launching the Charles Stephenson regatta, and its success was the platform for MYC to host the 2018 Prince Phillip Cup," he said.

Rob was able to be at the helm of his yacht, St George, at that race.

"Success breeds success, and MYC is to host the Prince Phillip Cup again, in 2024," Rob said. "Along with the local fleet, there'll be competitors from interstate and perhaps internationally."

Terry Grundy had the Robert Trenberth Trophy struck, to be presented at the conclusion of this weekend's racing.

Related Articles

Dragon World Championship overall
Final day plagued by wind shifts The final day of the World Championship in Bodrum saw early rain and no wind. Consequently, the Race Officer Nino Shmueli kept the fleet ashore until conditions improved. Posted on 3 Jun
Dragon World Championship day 4
A real dog fight between the two teams leading the field Day 4 of the Dragon World Championship began optimistically with a good breeze from 145 degrees. The fleet behaved well on start line, with just 3 boats recalled. Posted on 2 Jun
Dragon World Championship day 3
Some exciting racing in Bodrum, Turkey Day 3 at the Dragon World Championships in Bodrum produced some exciting racing. After starting on time at 12.35, Race 4 had to be abandoned shortly after teams had rounded the first mark, due to the wind moving 55 degrees to the right. Posted on 1 Jun
Dragon World Championship day 2
It was Wolf Waschkuhn who chose the better side of the course On the 2nd day of racing the fleet got away on time (12.05) with just one boat OCS (POR 90) they were called back and they quickly re-started. Posted on 31 May
Burnham Week 2023 open for entry
8 days of racing and prizes on offer for both weekend and mid-week racing The countdown to Burnham Week 2023 has already started with entries now open. This East Coast regatta that traditionally takes in the August Bank Holiday weekend, this year runs from 26 August-2 September. Posted on 30 May
2023 Dragon World Championship Day 1
First two races held in Bodrum, Turkey Two clear starts under a black flag, 24 teams racing in the most amazing conditions. Blue sky, 12 knots of wind in crystal clear water. Grant Gordon helming GBR 820 leads after recording a 2nd and 4th place. Posted on 29 May
All set for the 19th edition of PalmaVela
Big boats alongside the small One Designs, reunited once again The event, organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma is preparing to host a large multitudinous and extremely varied fleet including the big boats as well as smaller One Designs. Posted on 18 Apr
Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta countdown
The yachts are now starting to arrive at Nelson's Dockyard The yachts are now starting to arrive at Nelson's Dockyard to participate in the 34th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta this week. Registration will be upstairs in the Officers' Quarters of the Dockyard on Wednesday. Posted on 17 Apr
Dragon HM King Juan Carlos Trophy
Australian Yeahnah team take the win at Clube Naval de Cascais After three days and a full program, with seven sailed races, the Australian Yeahnah team took the HM King Juan Carlos Trophy today, with 11 points. Posted on 16 Apr
North Sails to support Dragon Edinburgh Cup
With sail service and secure boat storage The organising committee of the 75th Edinburgh Cup incorporating the International Dragon UK Grand Prix is delighted to announce that North Sails will be supporting the event. Posted on 6 Apr