“Our reference to the “inaugural Trans-Tasman Yacht Race” was specifically meant to describe the CYCA’s inaugural running of this event and not to imply that it is the first Trans-Tasman race in history. At the CYCA, we truly value and honour the legacy of offshore sailing.”

The AWBF has just released a recording of the panel discussion between a gang of Derwent Class sailors and SWS’s co-editor Sal Balharrie at the recent festival. It’s not your standard symposium fare!

Derwent Class World Champs. The winds are light but the banter, high. A ‘D’ sails up to the transom of the start boat. Is it a sign on? Nuh. ‘Have you got any Panadol?’  Almost 100 years after the first ‘D’, IMP, rolled out of Percy Coverdale’s yard at Battery Point, did anyone imagine the boats would still be racing in 2025?

“For the amount of work in the six-month time frame, it was very tricky. We worked every day, some very long days, to get Mermaid ready for relaunch at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in February.”