Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club
The Inaugural
Classic Yacht Regatta
Saturday 11th April 2026 · Sydney Harbour
Classic & Spirit of Classic · Dual IRC & PHS Racing
63
Classic Yachts
27
IRC Rated
5
Racing Divisions
1922
Club Est.
Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club
Saturday 11th April 2026 · Sydney Harbour
Classic & Spirit of Classic · Dual IRC & PHS Racing
A New Tradition on Sydney Harbour
On the iconic waters of Sydney Harbour, the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club launched an event destined to become a cornerstone of the Australian sailing calendar. The Inaugural Classic Yacht Regatta brought together 63 classic yachts, from elegant 5.5s, 6 and 8 Metres to gaff rigged cutters, Ranger Class and historic Couta Boats to historic 18 foot skiffs, in a celebration of craftsmanship, seamanship and enduring beauty.
Created with the vision of Commodore Sven Runow, classic racing boat owner Nicole Shrimpton and RPEYC race officers Adrian Broadbent and Terry Matthews and experienced regatta director David Stenhouse, the regatta featured Australia's first dual rated classic format, offering both IRC Standard and PHS handicapping, drawing competitors from all parts of the Harbour.
“We want to create a tradition at the Club, and what better way than with Classic yachts.”
Commodore Sven Runow
The Film
Film created by 18 foot skiff sailor Jonathan Whitty and the AeroMedia team
The Inaugural Fleet
| Yacht | Sail No | Design / Type | Skipper / Club | Built | LOA | Division |
|---|
Measured to Race as Equals
On the Water
Two handicap systems, one fleet — every classic raced under both IRC Standard and PHS.
IRC is a measurement based rating rule administered internationally. A yacht's hull, rig and sail dimensions are measured to produce a single time correction factor, allowing boats of very different design to compete on even terms. Twenty seven yachts in the inaugural fleet carried an IRC rating, racing for IRC Standard honours.
PHS adjusts each yacht's handicap from race to race based on observed performance, rewarding crews who sail above expectation. It welcomes the widest range of classic craft, from gaff cutters to metre boats, into close competitive racing across the divisions.
“IRC has become the gold standard for all the major regattas. It's consistent and fair.”
Iain Murray AM, Sailor, Designer & America's Cup Regatta Director
Measuring at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.
A Regatta Initiative
Ahead of the regatta, dedicated measuring days were held at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, allowing the fleet to be measured to the IRC standard and race as equals.
The Club warmly acknowledges the assistance of the CYCA, the RPAYC and Australian Sailing, whose generous support made the inaugural dual rated format possible.
Results
IRC Sydney Seahorse Trophy
IRC Standard Results
Overall WinnerDefiance
PHS Perpetual Trophy
PHS Results
Overall WinnerFrances
Concours d'Élégance
The Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club pioneered the formal judging of classic boats on Sydney Harbour with this event, drawing inspiration from the traditional Concours d'Élégance of the great French classic regattas such as Cannes Régates Royales, Monaco Classic Week and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, focusing on a blend of historical authenticity, restoration quality, beauty, and a certain spirit of the regatta combining overall presentation and performance on the day.
The Concours d'Élégance
The Concours d'Élégance is designed to honour the efforts of shipwrights and custodians of our precious maritime history, rewarding craftsmanship and presentation on the day.
Unlike overseas regattas, boats for this regatta do not gather at a single port, but are encouraged to present in the waters adjacent to the startline of the RPEYC. Judging may draw from any prior knowledge, information provided by competitors regarding recent restoration, photographs of exteriors and interiors plus on water impressions, with an informal on water inspection of the fleet by the judging committee via the UTE in the hour prior to the start.
The Judging Panel
The Regatta Host Boats
The UTE — host boat kindly provided by Iain Murray AM, carrying the judging committee for the on water inspection.
Walahnee II — 54ft vintage Halvorsen kindly provided by owner Graeme Ellis and hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.
Design Parameters
Yachts designed and built before 1950.
HoanaMartin Van Der Wal
Yachts designed and built after 1950.
ValhallaTony Burgess
Yachts designed and built after 1975, including replicas, to an earlier original design.
Scarlett O'HaraRobert & Grainne Skol
Modern boats replicating the aesthetics and lines of earlier eras with thoroughly modern technology such as modern keels and carbon masts.
DrumfireJane & Will Vicars
Concours Awards
Introducing the New Perpetual Trophies
The regatta is contested for a collection of new perpetual trophies and category honours, several carrying more than a century of history.
Designed and presented to the club by member Nicole Shrimpton, the silver trophy made by WJ Sanders, with a base of huon pine by shipwright Lars Runow.
Oft coveted, the Concours d'Élégance Trophy is awarded for overall looks, authenticity, grace and performance, embodying the spirit of the Regatta.
WinnerVentura, owned by Stephen Robson. Designed by GL Watson of Glasgow Scotland, built 1893 by Edward A. Jack, Tamar River Tasmania. Restored by Bruce Gault of Botany.
Classic Yacht Association of Australia Restoration Cup
A beautiful English sterling silver cup, made in Birmingham in 1938.
Presented to the RPEYC by the Classic Yacht Association of Australia, the Restoration Cup is the ultimate restoration trophy. The finest example of restoration and shipbuilding, faithfully built to fit the original hull lines and plans. Classic Yacht Association of Australia →
WinnerDefiance, Nicole Shrimpton. Designed and built by Ernest Digby 1935, restored by Colin Beashel Marine and Lars Runow, D & R Shipwright.
All Comers Cup
Originally awarded to the 1893 Tasmanian built yacht and donated by the current owners of Ventura, led by Stephen Robson.
Embodying the true spirit of the regatta, this cup is awarded to the boat that has made a remarkable effort to cross the finish line.
WinnerThe late Gordon Ingate OAM on Jasnar, a Wally Ward design, with crew David Giles and Matt Visser.
Perpetual Racing Trophies & Prizes
The Champagne of the Regatta
Champagne flowed throughout the day and across the celebrations ashore. Royal Prince Edward's Commodore Sven Runow seen here, declaring the regatta open with a jeroboam of Billecart-Salmon Le Réserve. Reviving an 1889 Sydney tradition of racing for a case of fine champagne, Billecart-Salmon and the Roland-Billecart Sailing Family of Champagne were the Regatta's presenting partner.
The Regatta saw the generous contribution of prizes: handmade Regatta bags, sail ties and $500 vouchers from Ian Short Sails, hand embossed leather backgammon rolls from Oroton, linen yachting jackets from M.J. Bale designed in collaboration with North Sails, and individual boat bottles of Red Mill Rum from the Fesq Family.
The Crystal Trophies
Ian Short Regatta Bag
Oroton Backgammon Roll
M.J. Bale Jacket
Red Mill Rum
Prize Partners
After the Race
Champagne on the lawn at sunset, a formal dinner in the clubhouse and the presentation of honours. The evening programme is as much a part of the regatta as the racing.
The Official Souvenir
Four commemorative posters from the inaugural regatta, designed especially for the event by Nicole Shrimpton, with the assistance of Olive Jones-Evans and Gabrielle Dudman, and printed on 100% cotton archival paper by master printer Warren Macris.
Available in three sizes · A2 $100 · A1 $130 · A0 $180 · all prices AUD
A percentage of the poster proceeds go to the Sydney Seahorse Project. Learn more →
To order, email secretary@rpeyc.com.au
Save the Date
“We expect to have over 100 boats next year”
Commodore Sven Runow
Register your interest for the 3rd April 2027 regatta. Classic & Spirit of Tradition. Dual IRC & PHS racing. Concours d'Élégance. Sydney Harbour.
Website designed by Mia Whittaker
