Treharne Trophy celebrating Manly 16s Old Buffers Day
by Adam Lucius 11 Mar 09:24 GMT
The annual Old Buffers Day was already a special event on the Manly 16s calendar but it will now hold even more significance after a trophy celebrating one of the country's finest sailors was donated to mark the occasion.
The Hugh Treharne Trophy - named after the late America's Cup-winning tactician and longtime Manly sailor - was unveiled on Saturday by his family before the 2026 Old Buffers Day was raced.
Clare Hozack returned to her old club to take out the scratch win alongside crewmates Hugh and Jamie Stodart on Red Pumps Red.
OBD brings former sailors together with the current generation, allowing knowledge and skills to be passed on while enhancing the spirit of sailing.
Twenty-two boats entered this year's event, sailed over three laps in a friendly nor' easter.
"Lifting the Hugh Treharne trophy for the first time was pretty special, made poignant by the love of history I have for the Manly 16s," Clare said.
"Now to be part of that history with the Treharne Trophy, I am very grateful for the opportunity to come back every year and participate in the Old Buffers tradition.
"Old Buffers is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and touch base with the 16s. "Many of us have moved on for various reasons, but the club itself has a timeless quality that I really enjoy every time I come back.
"Everyone is still there, sitting at the same tables, enacting the same rituals, even the boat sponsors stick around. "The nostalgia hits me square in the chest every time I come back."
Hugh's widow Jeanine's made a lovely speech about Hugh and the family's connection to the club before presenting Clare with the impressive new silverware.
"We thought with Hugh's passing it would be good to commemorate it by donating a perpetual trophy associated with the day," Jeanine said.
"It's always been a lovely occasion to catch up with very special friends and this is now something for the next generation to keep going.
"The skiff club was a large part of Hugh's life and he was a very proud member, so to have all the family down there and to present the cup was very special."
Barnabas Building (Adam Beashel/Rob Napper/Joel Beashel) was next in after Red Pumps Red, with Fluid (Clint Bowen/Chad Beeby/Dave Burkett) third.
Hugh's son Robbie was also part of the large Old Buffers fleet, finishing 12th on Imagine Signage Altis (Gavin Cooke/Phil Cooke/Rob Grueter) won on handicap from Australian Sailing Team (David Doyle/Keizo Tomoshima/ Daniel Links) and Buckingham Marine (Rob Stenta and sons Matt and Chris).
Full results available here.