Bennetto awarded Governor's Cup

Peter Campbell brings news from the Royal Tasmanian YC

John Bennetto, arguably Tasmania’s greatest ocean racing yachtsman, has been awarded the Governor’s Cup for “outstanding yachting achievement.”

The Cup, one of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania’s most prestigious trophies, was presented to the veteran yachtsman at the Club’s 2002-2003 Trophy Presentation at the Sandy Bay clubhouse last night.

Commodore Robert Badenach, in presenting the Governor’s Cup, praised Bennetto’s long and outstanding contribution to the RYCT and to ocean racing, notably the Sydney to Hobart Race.

He recalled that since his first Sydney Hobart Race aboard Kintail in 1947 Bennetto had competed in more Hobarts that any other yachtsman, achieving his 42nd race in the 2002 event with his Frers 47, Mirrabooka.

“This is probably a world record for any major ocean race,” the Commodore added. “He won’t commit himself to racing again this year, but it’s good to see Mirrabooka out in the winter series…that augers well.”

The Governor’s Cup was among several special trophies presented by Commodore Badenach last night, including the Lesley Cooper