Two Races, One Bass Strait Adventure: White Spirit Racing Rudder Cup and Three Hummock Island

Touring the wineries with PDYC Commodore Narissa, White Spirit crew and Cadibarra crew

Competing in the Rudder Cup – Australia’s oldest yacht race – is always fun. This year some 27 boats crossed the start line, and after struggling with suddenly very light conditions, quickly sped off towards Devonport. White Spirit struggles in those light airs, however as the breeze filled in and strengthened, the boat took off and we had a fantastic Bass Strait crossing. Of course, after the actual racing, arriving to Mersey Yacht Club’s fantastic hospitality is the best part of the Rudder Cup. MYCs teams worked tirelessly to assist boats into the berths and provided a welcome meal and cold drink. I was particularly pleased to secure 2nd in performance handicap.

White spirit at PDYC

This year we also entered the PME Three Hummock Island race run by Port Dalrymple Yacht Club. So after celebrating at MYC, we sailed the boat from the Mersey River to Beauty point, several hours to the east, to be welcomed at PDYC by Commodore Narissa McLewee and her husband Nick. As part of their Three Hummock Island guest package, White Spirit was moored on the new floating marina with full facilities for the week, free of charge. We then enjoyed a week of hospitality in Beauty Point including a day trip hiking to Cradle Mountain, a magnificent winery tour put on by PDCY, and the friendliness and support of local club members. One evening crew from Penelope and Cadibarra joined us for a ‘left overs party’ – no point letting pre-cooked excess provisions go to waste! An important logistical note – those crew who had to return for work were able to take cheap flights out of Devonport and Launceston, and return the following Friday before race start.

The PME Three Hummock Island race was a cracker! Another Category 2 race, with similar distance to the Rudder Cup, this race strikes out from the Tamar River, heads west to Three Hummock Island, and then returns to the mouth of the Tamar. The really cool aspect of this race is the ‘navigators dilemma’ – which way to round the island? Of course it depends on the wind and tide – and that’s fun part. This year there were strong SSW winds, leading all boats to choose to round the island clockwise to enjoy reaching and running conditions regardless of the tidal flow.

Cyrus and Race Director Jeremy Walton at the Rudder Cup presentation

Three Hummock Island is a beautiful rounding point. From rocky outcrops to long white sandy beaches, it is quite stunning. And being exactly halfway along the course it gives the crew a mental kick knowing that they’re on the return leg. I imagine it will be a similar feeling for those crews taking part in next February’s Wilsons Prom race. We finished just after nightfall and were welcomed back to PDYC by club volunteers and the crew from Advantedge, who took line honours. The evening finished with a great meal, celebratory drinks and a warm fire. Happily, White Spirit won 1st in PHS. Congratulations to Paul Robert’s Cadibarra for their overall race win on ORC.

PDYC Commodore Narissa McElwee and Cyrus at the Three Hummock Island presentation

This year ORCV partnered with PDYC to introduce the Bass Strait Cup – a low point aggregate prize given to the best performing boat across the Melbourne to Devonport and Three Hummock Island race. The initiative is designed to increase overall participation in both events, and PDYC has had a new perpetual cup struck this year. Having competed in both the Rudder Cup and the Three Hummock Island race this year, I warmly encourage skippers to put this campaign into your diaries for 2027.

Written by Cyrus Allen