TP52 Pallas Capital Gold Cup Finale at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club - Overall
by Nic Douglass for @sailorgirlhq 19 May 14:50 BST
17-18 May 2025
The Pallas Capital Gold Cup concluded over the weekend with fierce short course racing and continual progression for all nine teams marking a fitting end to the annual TP52 Australia four-act series.
Act 4 of the series was sailed from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club on Pittwater, and while Seb Bohm and his team on Smuggler sailed an incredible series to take the event win on TPR, it wasn't enough to topple David Doherty and his Matador team for the overall back-to-back season win. Smuggler took second on TPR, with the champion Corinthian team for the season, Koa, owned by Andy Kearnan, taking a notable third.
"To compete against Hooligan and Matador that are purely inshore boats, and to have an offshore boat do so well in inshore mode is testament to the people around us", said Steve McConaghy, Smuggler's tactician. "We've had the same crew for this four event series, and I think that has paid dividends", finished McConaghy.
On IRC, Marcus Blackmore's Hooligan took the Act win over Seb Bohm's Smuggler, however for Matador, third overall was enough to secure the overall season win, taking the double of TPR and IRC in the Pallas Capital Gold Cup. Hooligan finished second overall, and Smuggler third.
"It's not me", said Doherty of their double overall series wins. "There's 15 people on that boat", he finished nodding to his team. "It's my deal, but we've got the greatest group of people on that boat".
Katie Spithill, helm of Hooligan was elated on behalf of the team.
"Such an exciting weekend, and a really nice way to end the four act series," she said. "Our aim was progression, to continue to progress, less mistakes, more gelling with the crew, and a great atmosphere on board. We really need to thank Marcus and Caroline for the opportunity to be involved and to be part of this series".
The racing in the Act 4 finale was close throughout, with two incredible days of racing on Pittwater from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. The fleet was joined by the host club's Rear Commodore of Yacht Racing Peter Farrugia, chartering First Light "Blue" or "Bullwinkle" for the event. They had an exceptional first event in the class, securing fourth on IRC and TPR.
"We ended up with a great result overall, and that was just through teamwork which was amazing", said Farrugia of the dual fourth places. "We had a lot of fun".
"We had some good heads in the back of the boat, telling me where we should be, and when to tack and when to gybe, so that was huge. They're people I have done a lot of sailing with over the years, so it's pretty special. We are really, really happy".
Day 1 Facebook Live Video
Race 1 started in a building southerly breeze, with the nine boats appearing cautious at the start, all back from the line. While Koa was closest to the line, it was David Doherty's Matador who had the momentum at the gun, and started their weekend strongly in their quest to hold onto the overall series lead. With a convincing win across the line, they took race one on both IRC and TPR.
Race 2 was started after a lengthy delay for waiting for the start of the RPAYC Lion Island Series, and for the breeze to finish settling. With a shift of the course to the east, and 10 knots of breeze locking in to the ESE, the fleet settled in for some high paced racing. Marcus Blackmore's Hooligan crossed the line first, but it wasn't enough to hold out Matador on both IRC and TPR.
Race 3 and 4 were some of the most exciting races of the season, with all nine boats battling for position on the short race track, and the funnelling breeze along the shore of Scotland Island. Seb Bohm's Smuggler came into their own, taking both wins on TPR, and Race 3 on IRC to lead both divisions at the end of day one, and Hooligan sailed beautifully to the win on IRC in Race 4. Peter Farrugia and the First Light "Blue" team had their best race of the series in race 3, rounding the top mark in third, they went on to take second on TPR and third on IRC.
Day 2 Facebook Live Video
As in all great sagas, it came down to the final day, and it was Matador who responded to the early pressure to lead the fifth race of the series on scratch by some margin and take both divisional wins. Mark Spring and his Highly Sprung team had their best of the series following a beautiful start and great navigation of the small cellular patches of breeze to take equal 3.5 with Hooligan on TPR and fourth on IRC.
With lighter breeze than what was forecast, and fortunately also less rain, the second race of the day and final for the series was turned around quickly. For Seb Bohm and his "Smugglers" the last start was the only one they didn't nail, however, they were first to Longnose Point. They sailed beautifully from there to take the race and the overall series win on TPR. Hooligan won the race on scratch, which also secured the race on IRC and series win in that division.
"Such a great class", said Katie Spithill of the entire TP52 Australia fleet. "Everyone was in there with high energy and all looking for the win. The fleet itself is getting better, everyone puts in their time on the water, they've got great gear, great crew, and they've got fantastic owners that allow all of this to happen".
Thanks to naming rights sponsor Pallas Capital and also to Zhik for their support.
Next up for the TP52 class will be a yet to be announced series in the Spring of 2025, watch this space!