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Last weekend saw the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s Annual Prize Giving 2002-2003.

Special nominations for the season were 'Club Yachtsman of the Year' for most accomplished sailor, ‘Trygve Halvorsen Trophy’ which is the Offshore Achievement award of the year, ‘Alan Rich Trophy’ for best performing club yacht and a ‘Yachting Achievement Award’ for outstanding accomplishments.

‘Club Yachtsman of the Year’ was awarded to an elated James Spithill whilst on his mobile phone overseas.  In his place to accept the trophy was none other than very proud father Arthur Spithill. Honoured to accept the award on his son’s behalf Arthur spoke about James’ journey from starting to sail at the age of five and how he has accomplished his dream at the age of 24. Alfred’s members who attended the dinner were fortunate to hear the telephone conversation between Commodore Ross Scoble and James. James was helmsman of the OneWorld Challenge USA, which was the American challenger for the America’s Cup 2003 and winner of numerous events throughout the world. To top it off Saturday was James’ birthday.

'Club Boat of the Year' for most outstanding performance was awarded to Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats. Wild Oats the first yacht to be built in Australia with the revolutionary twin foil steering and canting keel technology raced above all expectations. Claiming her maiden racing championship at the 2002 Hahn Premium Hamilton Island Race Week and in January 2003 Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Series Wild Oats pulverised the 19-year-old race record taking line honours and finishing the 226-mile race this morning at 07:29:14 to slash almost 2 1/2 hours from the record set in 1984 by Arthur Bloore’s 66 footer The Office.
Currently in Cowes, England Wild Oats and its crew are representing the RPAYC contesting the famous Admiral’s Cup and should be the benchmark boat at the Cup for both line and handicap honours.

The ‘Trygve Halvorsen Trophy’ for best offshore achievement was awarded to Alastair (Alby) Pratt. Alastair was Crewmember and Sails Coordinator for News Corp in the Volvo Round the World Race, Crewmember and Sails Coordinator on Alfa Romeo Shockwave who won the 2002 Sydney to Hobart, 2003 Millennium Cup in New Zealand and various European and North American campaigns. Alby is currently in Europe breaking race records on Alfa Romeo Shockwave.

The clubs club members award brand new ‘Yachting Achievement Award’ for outstanding accomplishments. The award went to three individuals who were part of Team Alinghi winning the 2003 America’s Cup. Mark Allanson was Spar Maker, Grant Simmer Design Co-ordinator and Richard Slater was Rules Advisor. Richard explained their responsibilities and how the whole team worked together to win the world famous Cup.

Other trophies on the evening were awarded for ‘Participation’ going to The Business owned by Grant Halliday and Jeff Matthes, ‘Fossil Gun Boat Trophy’ going to Pretty Woman for club yacht who has won the most Club events on scratch in it’s division but did not win the point score.

Congratulations to all the other members who won trophies on the evening.