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