In stunning sailing conditions, the Pallas Capital Gold Cup concluded from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club today, with David Doherty’s Matador reinforcing their position at the top of the leaderboard to take Act 4 on both TPR and IRC, and to win the Pallas Capital Gold Cup overall.
The minor placings on TPR were too tight to call on the water. Craig Neil’s Quest finished strongly to take second over Sebastian Bohm’s Smuggler. On IRC, Zen, owned and skippered by Gordon Ketelbey took second, with Quest in third.
Live coverage for the final day of racing
“Yeah we’re pretty happy, pretty proud,” said David Doherty.
“Before the season we were nervous that we wouldn’t get to where we have, but it’s a good group of guys and girls and we just make it happen. We’ve been able to dig out of trouble. That’s the best thing about the boat and team, we can just get back out of trouble,” Doherty said, summing up their series.
On their consistency in this year’s results, Doherty focussed on where he sees room for improvement.
“Last round we struggled a little and this time we struggled with our starts, but we will work on that and get better.
“I don’t know, I guess we will go again but who knows it seems like the fleet just gets stronger and stronger so it’ll get harder as it gets more and more competitive,” Doherty finished, looking to the 2025 series.
Runner up on TPR went to Craig Neil’s Quest, one of the older boats in the fleet. Quest finished just one second behind Smuggler in the middle race of the day, as the two battled right to the last for the minor places.
“I know, so close! It shows how close this class is. It really is this close and every second counts and it’s great. Obviously a very different day to yesterday, much more controllable conditions but really tricky and Scotland Island created two different tracks so you’re either on the left or the right track sometimes one worked and the other didn’t. I don’t know how it works, sometimes you think going up on one side you’d come down that side and be fast but it didn’t always work out that way but it was great,” Craig Neil said.
“Great to see all the teams out there, we had a lot of spectators out with us today as well for a beautiful day on Pittwater. I think we’ve got a second on TPR and a third on IRC for the weekend so we are really happy with that. That’s a great result for us, especially out of this fleet, they’re a really strong fleet,” finished Neil.
The Corinthian trophy was won by Andy Kearnan’s Koa, taking it on a countback having finished equal on points with Mark Spring’s Highly Sprung, arguably the most improved of the fleet.
“It was a really tough series with a variety of conditions and race tracks. I can say I am so very proud of my crew for their consistency over the year, and I am so thankful for them putting in the effort to give us the title of top Corinthian, in what can only be described as one of the top racing fleets in Australia. With so many professionals across the fleet we are proud to be the first Corinthians, to show that you can still be in the mix sailing with your mates,” Andy Kearnan summarised.
The day was a fitting end to this year’s Pallas Capital TP52 Gold Cup, which has seen tight battles in every race, and multiple split points on both TPR and IRC corrected times across the series. Twelve boats took part in the series continuing to show the strength of grand prix yacht racing in Australia, showcasing the established and emerging sailing talent the country is known for.
“I think you’ve got some of the best sailors in the country on these boats. They’re fantastic boats to sail and we love them. Can’t wait for next year!” Craig Neil, also President of the TP52 Association of Australia, said to wrap the 2024 Pallas Capital TP52 Gold Cup.
For more head to the TP52Aus Facebook page.
Thanks to sponsors Pallas Capital and Zhik for their support.
Full crew lists and more information on the TP52 Aus Website.
Nic Douglass
Content Manager || TP52 Class Australia
