If you are interested in racing, Royals can offer year-round competitive sailing in a variety of categories. The waters of Port Phillip Bay are perfect for racing and just one of the reasons why we have been chosen to host many international, national and state regattas in the past.
Wednesday Afternoon & Twilight Series
Our Wednesday Afternoon (summer and winter) and Wednesday Twilight (summer only) series are a fantastic opportunity to break up the working week and get out on the water! The racing is also perfect for beginners who would like to try out sailing for the first time, and then join us in the Clubhouse for a meal and some drinks.
Lipton Cup Regatta
We hold the Lipton Cup Regatta over a weekend every November. An average of 90-100 boats compete every year in the many different classes from Off the Beach to Division 0 – the type of boats which usually compete in the Sydney to Hobart Race.
The Association Cup
The Association Cup is the annual inter-club yachting championship run on Port Phillip between the major Victorian keelboat clubs. The winning club holds the Cup for 12 months and must offer it for competition at the end of the following sailing season. Rivalry is keen and Royals has enjoyed much success in recent years.
Club Marine Range Series
The Club Marine Range Series features nine races over the summer. These are always very competitive with a large number of Royals boats taking part. During summer there are also Wednesday afternoon races, as well as the Twilight Race starting from 6pm. These are the perfect way to unwind after a hard day at work and have proven to be incredibly popular with an average of 75 boats from Royals and other yacht clubs from around the bay competing each week.
Tripe & Onions Series / Steak & Mushrooms Series
Every second Sunday over summer is the Tripe & Onions Series with an average of 15 Royals boats taking part. Over the Christmas period every year a number of Royals boats compete in the Ocean Races including Sydney to Hobart and Melbourne to Hobart.
Black Bottle Trophy Race
Other significant races include the Black Bottle Trophy Race. Donated by Sir James Hardy, this trophy is dedicated to single-handed sailing. Sir James was an America’s Cup skipper three times and played a role in Australia II’s 1983 victory. Along with the trophy, Sir James donated a bottle of Hardy’s black bottle brandy, the trophy’s hard-fought-for namesake.
The Phoenix Trophy
The Phoenix Trophy is named after the 1970 fire that destroyed Royals clubhouse. Donated by Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC) to represent the club ‘rising from the ashes’, the trophy is awarded to the winner of the end of season sail to Queenscliff.
Elliott 5.9 Club Fleet
Royals has a fleet of six Elliott 5.9’s ideal for training and match racing. The Elliotts are fast, exciting, highly maneuverable keelboats for a skipper and two crew. Match racing sailing between two identical boats is easy to follow, and makes for an exciting spectacle watching the rules and tactics being played out. If it’s a thrill for the spectators, imagine what it must be like to take part!
Annual Presentation Night
The silverware on offer in club competitions is considerable with more than 30 trophies contested annually. Each July members gather at the club to honour the year’s outstanding performers in the clubs presentation night, a black tie event featuring entertainment and a lavish meal.