The Pallas Capital Gold Cup reaches its climax this weekend at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, with the championship to be determined in a thrilling finale. The series, featuring a combined TP52 and Super 40 format, has been instrumental in enhancing performance at the elite level while also creating pathways into Grand Prix keelboat sailing in Australia.
In the TP52 category, Matador, helmed by David Doherty, enters the final round poised to defend its titles in both TPR and IRC following a series of strong performances in Sydney Harbour and Port Stephens. However, competition remains fierce with other teams closely trailing behind.
Sebastian Bohm’s Smuggler is currently second in both handicap rankings, while Gordon Ketelbey’s Zen is in third place. Peter White’s First Light has consistently performed well, especially in IRC, and both Highly Sprung, owned by Mark Spring, and Virago, owned by Robert Kelly, have delivered standout race results. Frantic, a crowd favourite, has garnered considerable support throughout the series.
The Corinthian division has seen Koa and Highly Sprung exchanging victories, with Koa, skippered by Lee Hawksley, claiming wins in Acts 1 and 3, while Highly Sprung took the victory in Act 2, keeping the competition alive ahead of the final event.
In the Super 40 fleet, Karl Kwok’s Beau Ideal leads with a slim margin, thanks to solid performances in both Sydney and Port Stephens, topping the standings across SFR, ORC, and IRC. Chris Dare’s Ambition remains a contender, particularly in IRC, while John Bacon’s Edge has frequently been a front-runner across all handicap categories. Other boats like Little Nico, Bushranger, and Bullwinkle 400 have also demonstrated potential to disrupt the leaderboard.
The combined TP52 and Super 40 format has generated significant excitement, with action-packed racing and robust pathways into high-performance sailing in Australia. The finale on Pittwater promises two days of intense racing, where every point will prove crucial.
Rob McClelland, Commodore of Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, expressed enthusiasm for hosting the event, highlighting the new dynamic introduced by the Super 40 fleet alongside the TP52s. He noted, “Pittwater is a spectacular place to sail at this time of year. With our Lion Island Series also taking place on Saturday, there will be over 100 yachts on the water, creating an incredible atmosphere on and off the racecourse.”
The Pallas Capital Gold Cup has also fostered a strong social programme, connecting supporters and building community around the racing. Following the success of the Ladies and Supporters Long Lunch during Act 3 at Port Stephens, the finale will again gather the Gold Cup community. Supporters will watch the races from the water on Saturday, culminating in a Ladies and Supporters Lunch on Sunday.
The off-water programme has become an integral part of the series, enhancing connections among owners, crews, families, and supporters, while continuing to cultivate the broader community supporting Grand Prix keelboat sailing in Australia.
For further details, news, and results, visit www.goldcupregatta.com. Subscribe to the TP52 YouTube Channel. Thanks to title sponsor Pallas Capital and Zhik for their support of the class.
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