The Stonehaven Cup
The historic Stonehaven Cup is now sailed in RS Quests with a crew of three between the ages of 11 – 17. The 93ʳᵈ Stonehaven Cup ran from 3 to 8 January 2023. We congratulate all participants and thank volunteers for their involvement in this year’s successful regatta.
Documents and amendments from the 93rd Stonehaven Cup can be found the bottom of this page.
93ʳᵈ Stonehaven Cup Report
Written by Paul Wooman
Chair RS Quest Association Australia
January 2023
Race 7 & 8 were sailed in a light variable north eastly wind of less than 10knots with flat sea a contrast to the much fresher conditions of the first 6 heats.
Series leader John Akhurst struggled in the race 7 to finish 10th, whilst the RMYS’ Heather continued on its winning ways supported by fellow team members, Scarlet and Joe White, strengthening their grip on the Otto Meik Teams Trophy.
By this stage of the regatta, crew skills and boat handling had become second nature and were a treat to watch.

Race starting was competitive

Heather hoisting the spinnaker and leading the fleet
Race 7 Results – Start 1010 hrs
Winner RS Quest #1035 Heather – Skipper Ashley Wahlqvist, Myra Barber, Zoe Vlasic, RMYS – Winner 93rd Stonehaven Cup 2023
Place No Boat Name Skipper Crew Crew From
1 1035 Heather Ashley Wahlqvist Myra Barber, Zoe Vlasic RMYS
2 1030 Scarlett Oli Skerritt Tim McCutcheon Eliza Davidson RMYS
3 1029 Joe White Ethan Rassias Swannee Myles-Malone Nicholas Maria RMYS
A surprise first place was posted by RBYC’s team boat, Harmony skippered by Jarvis Dart, Jenson Oldham and Xavier County leaving the highly competitive Heather to be satisfied with a second place and another RMYS Scarlet taking third. Misfortunes continued to plague the John Akhurst who had raked up three consecutive race wins and had to settle for a slightly improved 8th place.
Race 8 Results – Start 1119 hrs
Place No Boat Name Skipper Crew Crew From
1 1059 Harmony Jarvis Dart Jenson Oldham Xavier County RBYC
2 1035 Heather Ashley Wahlqvist Myra Barber Zoe Vlasic RMYS
3 1030 Scarlett Oli Skerritt Tim McCutcheon Eliza Davidson RMYS
Place No Boat Name Skipper Crew Crew From
1 1059 Harmony Jarvis Dart Jenson Oldham Xavier County RBYC
2 1035 Heather Ashley Wahlqvist Myra Barber Zoe Vlasic RMYS
3 1030 Scarlett Oli Skerritt Tim McCutcheon Eliza Davidson RMYS
Race 9 & 10 started with a steady 12knots sea breeze providing perfect racing conditions providing RBYC’s John Akhurst with an opportunity to score well to win. However, race placings changed again with King Island Boat Club team member, Greg Hennessy, skippered by Brab Mead, and his crew Peter Cole and Angus Poulson sailed extremely well to take second place from another new place getter Acrospire from the RMYS team in third place. Spectators enjoyed seeing the sharing of race results.

#1472 John Akhurst - scoring 4 first places in the series and 2nd overall 93 Stonehaven Cup 2023
Race 9 Results – Start 1500 hrs
Place No Boat Name Skipper Crew Crew From
1 1472 John Akhurst Nathan Stanford Patrick Stanford, Oli Martin RBYC
2 1028 Greg Hennessy Brad Mead Peter Cole Angus Poulson KIBC
3 1027 Acrospire Nick Michele Ava Sheehan Carli Preston RMYS
Race 10, the series decider revealed yet another new race winner in Acrospire, skippered by Nick Michelle, and his crew, Ava Sheehan and Carli Preston from the RMYS. Acrospire sailed brilliantly to beat across the line ahead of the eventual series winner and highly competitive Heather from RMYS taking second place, from Emma skippered by Charlie Stellmaker, Alex Perry and Max Poulson of the KIBC team finishing third and a well-deserved third place over all in the series. John Akhurst of the RBYC placed 7th and so claimed second overall in the series.
Race 10 Results – Start 1600 hrs
Place No Boat Name Skipper Crew Crew From
1 1027 Acrospire Nick Michele Ava Sheehan Carli Preston RMYS
2 1035 Heather Ashley Wahlqvist Myra Barber Zoe Vlasic RMYS
3 1050 Emma Charlie Stellmaker Alex Perry Max Poulson KIBC
Invitation Race Results – Start 1300 hrs
Jock Sturrock Memorial Trophy
Place No Boat Name Skipper Crew Crew From
1 1036 Kestrel Lachy Skerritt Tim Orr Hayden Gold RMYS
2 1050 Emma Charlie Stellmaker Alex Perry Max Poulson KIBC
3 1035 Heather Ashley Wahlqvist Zoe Valsic Myra Barber RMYS
Second Invitation Race Results – Start 1405 hrs
Andrew Linacre Memorial Trophy
Place No Boat Name Skipper Crew Crew From
1 1035 Heather Ashley Wahlqvist Zoe Valsic Myra Barber RMYS
2 1472 John Akhurst Nathan Stanford Patrick Stanford Oli Martin RBYC
3 1023 Matthew Norton Ryan Savage Tom Otto Tamowicz Ari Rassias RMYS

#1050 Emma Charlie Stellmaker, Alex Perry, Max Poulson KIBC 3rd overall 93rd Stonehaven Cup
Final Series Placing
Place No Boat Name Skipper Crew Crew From Score
1 1035 Heather Ashley Wahlqvist Myra Barber Zoe Vlasic RMYS 16.0
2 1472 John Akhurst Nathan Stanford Patrick Stanford Oli Martin RBYC 22.0
3 1050 Emma Charlie Stellmaker Alex Perry Max Poulson KIBC 39.0
Presentation dinner
The Stonehaven Cup presentation dinner was a fabulous evening of fun and happiness, Commodore Ian and Commodore Niesje Hees RBYC and Commodore Gary Johnson and team manager of the KIBC attended the presentation.

Trophies on display prior to the presentation

A packed house at the presentation dinner

Winners of the 2023 93rd Stonehaven Cup
Commodore Ian Lodewyckx presenting the trophies #1035 Heather: Skipper Ashley Wahlqvist, Myra Barber, Zoe Vlasic RMYS

Group image – Stonehaven Cup winners centre, Heather, Ashley Wahlqvist, Myra Barber, Zoe Vlasic RMYS On the right, second in the series, John Akhurst: Nathan Stanford, Patrick Stanford and Oli Martin RBYC. Third place: Emma, Skipper Charlie Stellmaker, Alex Perry, Max Poulson KIBC
We congratulate the winner of the Stonehaven Cup skipper, Ashley Wahlquist and her crew, Mayra Barber and Zoe Vlasic aboard the RMYS Heather, who together sailed a very consistent regatta.
Well done to the crew of the RBYC John Akhurst skipper Nathan Stanford and his crew, Patrick Stanford and Oli Martin. A strong performance this year, with another 12months of training this crew will be hard to beat next year.
Charlie Stellmaker, first year skipper and his crew, Alex Perry and Max Poulson of the King Island Boat Club team were a great surprise taking third place over all, KIBC look like another strong contender for the Cup next year.
Many new skippers and crews made their debut at this year’s Stonehaven Cup, we congratulate them all for their participation and commitment to their respective club teams and demonstrating good sportsperson ship toward each other. Camaraderie between competitors has always been a strong element of the Stonehaven Cup competition.
Royal Brighton Yacht Club will host the 94th Stonehaven Cup in conjunction with 12 Foot Cadet Dinghy reunion from the 3rd to the 7th January 2024.
Paul Woodman
Chair – Quest Association Australia and Stonehaven Cup National Council
93ʳᵈ Stonehaven Cup Program
Date | Event | Time(s) |
---|---|---|
Mon 02/01/2023 | Early arrival | 1200 to 1600 hrs |
Tues 03/01/2023 | Regatta check-in Equipment inspection Volunteers briefing Competitors briefing 2 invitation races – Youth Welcome BBQ – Yard |
0800 to 1200 hrs 0800 to 1200 hrs 0800 hrs 1100 hrs 1255 hrs 1st warning signal 1800 hrs |
Wed 04/01/2023 | Racing | 0955 hrs 1st warning signal |
Thurs 05/01/2023 | Racing Midseries social function TBA |
0955 hrs 1st warning signal 1800 hrs |
Fri 06/01/2023 | Racing | 0955 hrs 1st warning signal |
Sat 07/01/2023 | Reserve day, or racing if so decided | 0955 hrs 1st warning signal |
Sun 08/01/2023 | Racing Formal Presentation Dinner |
0955 hrs 1st warning signal 1830 hrs |
Mon 9/01/2023 | Final day for boat/container pickup for interstate competitors | 1600 hrs all boats and stored items to be clear of the club |