Doc Bennel

Trust: $200.00 (Perpetual)
Description: For Annual competition in conformity with the By-laws and Sailing Regulations of the Club. The competition to be only for owners and or skippers of yachts who are members of the Club.

Silver trophy standing 260mm high to lip on slender six-sided stem flaring out at footing. Has large ornate handles scrolled at ends. Dome shaped lid centred with shaped dome, overall height 75mm.

Mounted on six-sided solid black base 90mm high with rectangular winner’s inscription plaques attached.

Inscription: DOC BENNELL PERPETUAL TROPHY
IN MEMORY OF A BLUE WATER YACHTSMAN
AND
A PIONEER OF OCEAN RACING
History: Donated July 1946 by Frank S. Bennell to perpetuate the memory of his father Francis. J. (Doc) Bennell, a club member who reintroduced the Bass Strait Ocean Race in 1929, and instigator of the Trans-Tasman Ocean Race in 1931.

It was initially allocated with miniatures for Club Yachts competing in the Melbourne to Geelong Race of the R.G.Y.C. Australia Day Weekend Regatta, and first won January 22, 1947 by Commodore Joe White with Acrospire IV. It

The race over the years has seen many changes. In 1962 it was allocated to the Tumlaren Class, the following year a Round the Bay Race, to follow with distance races until December 1968 when it was allocated for a race to Mornington. It is now for a combined divisions result using V.Y.C. handicap system.

In 2007 this trophy was amended to ensure it was awarded for a long distance race competed for on YV handicap.

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