Mercedes IV takes out the Classic Yacht Association 2024/2025 Summer Series on Port Phillip

Marama and Akala cross the race two finish line © Roger Dundas

The eight race series title was a last race down to the wire close run thing. On Mercedes IV's heels, point score wise, were the Arthur Robb designed, Akala, a multiple Sydney to Hobart contender and the New Zealander, Marama, designed by Alan Wright.

All three contending classics featured consistently in the tight corrected time results. A feature of Port Phillip's classic yacht racing scene.

Mercedes IV takes out Race two CYAA 2025 Summer Series as she follows Acrospire III across the line - photo © David Taylor / RMYS

While yacht racing results can be said to be based on making your own luck, nature in the form of gale strength winds intervened and washed out the 16th March, 2025 points deciding race. With only six scoring races conducted during the series, the no worst score drop feature didn't happen. So, with the force of nature behind her, Mercedes IV finished up the series with best overall point score ahead her challengers, Akala and Marama.

Now with her home at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Mercedes IV is racing with the Port Phillips classic yacht racing stable. Mercedes III, the holder of yet to be beaten Admirals Cup performance records and Acrospire III, the classic yacht racing line honours champion, are active competitors inside this stable of classic racing yachts.

Built to contest the Admiral's Cup of 1975, Mercedes IV was Ted Kaufman's successor to Mercedes III, the leading member of the 1967 winning Australian team.

At Cowes in 1975 with team members Love and War, and Bumblebee lll, the Australians finished 9th in unusually light winds and strong tidal conditions.

She then competed, along with Love and War and Patrice III for the New South Wales team in the 1975 Southern Cross Cup. They finished a respectable 2nd behind New Zealand, with Mercedes IV finishing 10th on the individual point-score.

Mercedes IV went on to compete in 15 Sydney to Hobart races, recording best results of 4th overall in 1974, 6th overall in 1984 and 13th overall in the infamous 1998 race.