In the warm embrace of the Tasmanian summer sun, the Willie Smith Race Village in Hobart provided the perfect setting for the trophy presentation of the 2023 Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race, also known as the Westcoaster. Skippers, sailors, supporters, and locals gathered on Sunday afternoon, relishing the atmosphere and celebrating the accomplishments of this challenging maritime event.
The race saw a swift yet intense journey to Hobart, as participants contended with formidable wind gusts reaching up to 50 knots and five to six-meter seas. The overall winner, however, was the spirit of sailing itself, evident in the exhaustion, smiles, relief, and immense satisfaction etched on the faces of the closely-knit sailing community.
Cyrus Allen, Commodore of the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV), and David Schuller, Race Director, presided over the ceremony, honoring the achievements of the participants. Among the notable winners, Alex Toomey, skipper of Ryujin from the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, received the Wrest Point Abel Tasman Trophy as the line honors winner for monohulls.
Justin Brenan, skipper of Alien and twice-crowned ORCV Offshore Champion, claimed the prestigious Heemskerk Perpetual Trophy for first place overall on corrected time on AMS handicap. This marked his fourth Westcoaster title, solidifying his record alongside a win in the Melbourne to Hobart Eastcoaster Race in 2008.
Other awardees included Ginan, skippered by Cameron McKenzie and Nigel Jones, and the double-handed entry Maverick, co-skippered by Rod Smallman and Leeton Hulley. Peccadillo, a multihull helmed by Charles Meredith, set a new race record and received the Port Phillip Sea Pilots Trophy.
Michael Graham of Santana was honored with the Alan Collins “Rookie Skipper” prize for the best-performing first-time skipper, sailing from Newcastle, NSW. The Zeehan Trophy went to Andrew Vincent and Katrina Hartman, co-navigators on Alien.
Commodore Allen also recognized the achievements of sailors, presenting the Robin Hewitt trophy and the yellow 10+ Westcoaster cap to Chris Webster, acknowledging his participation in ten Westcoaster races.
Reflecting on the race’s toughness, Commodore Allen highlighted the enduring spirit of ocean sailors, driven by a love for adventure, challenge, and above all, the camaraderie that flourishes among those navigating the open seas. The 2023 Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race left an indelible mark of intensity, diversity, and personal triumphs within the sailing community.
