A Classic Swoop and a New Era in Sailing
With a finish like today, it’s one more time for the cliché — a “classic swoop for Magpie”. Taking first place in the final race of the regatta, Magpie clinched victory in the Milson Silver Goblets, sailed this week on Sydney Harbour.
The twilight regatta, held over five evenings, saw short works in a southerly wind and long works in a nor-easter, with a mix of Course 1 and Course 2 for both upwind and downwind finishes. There were minimal retirements and no protests, signalling a smooth and competitive series. Race Officer Ian Kingsford Smith commented, “Five good races, varying wind conditions, and we were very fortunate over the last three days to have a good nor-east sea breeze.”
A new chapter in sailing has been brewing for some time, with Vakaros’s "Race Sense" system gaining praise from both the Race Committee and competitors. Gone are the days of manual OCS identification and the black flag. The tracking and timing system instantly notifies the fleet and committee. International Race Officer and Sailing Manager at the host club, the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Rob Ridley, shared, “That was a pretty good Vakaros experience.”
As the competition reached its climax, the standings were incredibly tight. After four intense races, only a single point separated the top four boats. First Tracks had held the lead, closely followed by Great White Hunter and Flying High, but it was Magpie that made a dramatic final move. Sailing well in the last race, Magpie secured victory in both the race and the overall regatta.
The winning team of the regatta was Ben Lamb, John Bertrand, Gordon Maguire, Noel Drennan, and Paul Westlake, who mixed it up for the three-person crew over the five days. Ben Lamb thanked the Race Committee as Magpie crossed the finish line, saying later, “The wind conditions were extremely good, but what was truly the best part was having four legends of the sport to sail with. I want to thank them for traveling to be here in Sydney. Also, a big thanks to James Mayo for the loan of the boat and to North Sails for their continued support."
Lamb’s appreciation reflected the camaraderie and mutual respect that defines the sailing community. With the seamless integration of Vakaros technology and the tight competition, this regatta marked the dawn of a new era in sailing — one where innovation and tradition go hand in hand.
