HMAS Hobart Cup - CYCSA

HMAS Hobart Cup

2026 event  date to be advised*

The HMAS Hobart Cup is a special team sailing event that brings together an incredible community for a day of camaraderie, competition and celebration. Held in memory of HMAS Hobart (II), the event honours its legacy while fostering connection across the Defence community.

The inter-services challenge sees teams from the Navy, Air Force and Army battle it out on the water aboard the Club’s fleet of Elliott 7s. Racing is designed to be competitive yet inclusive, with all crews provided lunch between races, creating a relaxed and social atmosphere both on and off the water.

The HMAS Hobart DDG 39 Cup was generously donated by the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC).

Up to six teams, with crew of four per boat.



The Schedule

Teams racing at its best, with teams from the NAVY, AIRFORCE and ARMY battling it out on the water.

Includes pizza and refreshments for lunch.

 

HOBART CUP SCHEDULE

0900 Arrival at Club. Coffee/Tea/Biscuits provided.
0915 Welcome/Formalities. History of the HMAS Hobart Cup.
0920 Sailing Instructions explained. Race Management Team introduced.
0925 Elliott Yacht Use/Bouyancy Vest/Docking Requirements. 
0930 Rig Elliott Yachts. Proceed to race course area.
1030 Racing Commences (1st race is practice race)
1230 Lunch (pizza and drinks) back at club
1345 Racing Recommences
1530 Last Race Commences
1600 Return to dock. Pack up boats.
1630 Refreshments provided in Horizons Function Centre.
1700 HMAS Hobart Cup presented to winning team. 


Raced in one design Elliott 7’s and using the Match Racing discipline, the Hobart Cup is a participatory event  proudly presented by the following parties: The Naval Military and Airforce Club of SA. The Cruising Yacht Club of SA, The Friends of the HMAS Hobart Memorial and ASC Pty Ltd.

Regatta Notice Board

Regatta E Notice Board will be updated periodically:

Registration Link

NoR Hobart Cup

Sailing Instructions

Scoring as per Sailsys Teams Event process

Risk Management Plan v11.1.25

2 Page Incident Report

2025 Hobart Cup Photo Gallery (off-water images by Maddie Lamb)
2024 Hobart Cup Photo Gallery
2023 Hobart Cup Photo Gallery
History of the HMAS Hobart

The Hobart Cup is a participatory event  proudly presented by the following parties:

The Naval Military and Airforce Club of SA
The Cruising Yacht Club of SA
The Friends of the MHMAS Hobart Memorial
The Australian Submarine Corporation

The Hobart Cup is in memory of the HMAS Hobart and her crew.

Hobart was scuttled in Yankalilla Bay to form an artificial dive reef, and its final resting place lies 4 nautical miles west north west of Marina St Vincent. The Hobart was nicknamed the `Green Ghost` for her reputation as a quiet vessel during three tours of duty of Vietnam

HMAS Hobart (II) was awarded the battle honour VIETNAM 1967-70 for her three deployments to Vietnam, During these deployments, Hobart served as part of the US Seventh Fleet, participating in Operation SEA DRAGON and serving on the gunline providing naval gunfire support and harassment and interdiction fire. She also provided support to US Marine and airborne divisions, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam as well as undertaking plane guard and escort duties with US aircraft carrier striking groups.

In recognition of the professionalism of her crew during her first deployment to Vietnam she was awarded a US Navy Unit Commendation for ‘exceptionally meritorious service’ as an element of the US Seventh Fleet during the period 10 March to 20 September 1967. The award was presented to Captain Griffiths on 21 April 1969.

The citation highlighted the “outstanding teamwork, courage and professionalism displayed by Hobart’s officers and men.”

The Hobart Cup therefore  will be awarded to the crew which best meets these proficiencies of outstanding teamwork, courage and professionalism.  The CYCSA Elliott 7 Racing Keelboats are the best platform from which to measure these traits: 

TEAMWORK 1: MACRO: Two teams of 4 per boat will BATTLE on the water to DEFEND their strategic position in a race and ensure their team works as a combined unit to not necessarily wing the race, but win the BATTLE (based on teams racing scoring system).

TEAMWORK 2: MICRO: At a micro level, teamwork within the boat will require crews to work together and determine:

1. Crew Roles: Skipper-Strategist/Bowperson/Mainsheethand/Trimmer-Navigator.
2. Chain of command re. decision making tasks. (Who has final say in tactical decisions?)
3. Crew work coordination and unity. (Working together and in unison physically will ensure a faster passage).
4. Fleet awareness. (Where on the course is your boat positioned.
5. Decision making: When to ATTACK and when to DEFEND.

COURAGE: The successful team will ultimately be the team which has made tactical decisions based on the correct balance and mix of race strategy, team positioning and awareness and appropriate time responsive decision making and seamanship.

PROFESSIONALISM: The successful team will need to demonstrate a professional approach towards the event including evidence of:

Pre-event weather forecasting
Pre-event yacht preparation and necessary maintenance
Pre-event communication with team members on both boats
Pre-event research and comprehension of basic yacht racing rules
Pre-event research and comprehension of teams racing rules
Pre-event research and understanding of teams racing strategies

Proficiency traits to be developed and measured during the event will include:

  • Boat part comprehension
  • Sail part knowledge
  • Rigging knowledge
  • Weather knowledge
  • Radio communications knowledge
  • Race Management knowledge
  • Decision-making,
  • Fitness
  • Communication
  • Responsibilities
  • Role sharing
Frequently asked Questions
         

FAQ’s

  1. Can we change team roles/postitions during the event?
  2. Yes, you can change crew positions but not skipper position.
  1. Can I register online as an individual?
  2. Yes. You do not have to register a team.
  1. Can we get some practice in before the event?
  2. Yes. You can apply online.
  1. Will there be a practice race?
  2. Yes. There will be one practice race.
  1. Do you supply life jackets?
  2. Yes. We provide all life jackets for competitors.
  1. Do I need to have experience sailing?
  2. No. But we suggest you enrol in one of the training days before the event.
  1. Is there a prize for the winner?
  2. Yes. The Hobart Cup will be presented to the winning team.
  1. Can we get coaching?
  2. Yes. You can organise coaching before the event. Restrictions as per SI’s apply on race day.
Prizes and Awards

 The Hobart Cup will be presented to the winning team.

The ‘HMAS HOBART CUP’ (created by ASC Pty Ltd) is intended as a perpetual trophy to be retained at the NMAFC year to year.

In 2025 with the modified program of the Inter-Service Challenge, it is intended that the Cup celebrate our NAVY – ARMY – AIR FORCE sporting spirit and acknowledge the Service of HMAS HOBART DDG39 and the lives of all who served thereon.

CYCSA appreciates the creativeness of graduates of ASC Pty Ltd in replicating the ‘DUKE OF GLOUCESTER CUP’* by state-of-art 3D technology  to make the ‘HMAS HOBART CUP’ in modern materials.  (*Won by HMAS Hobart DDG39 a record 8 times.)

An especially embossed boxed ADF Medallion* will be awarded to each of the winning team and the ‘HMAS HOBART CUP’ will be inscribed to record the Winning Team.

Teams Racing I Video Links I Racing Rules

Watch: Training Video…


Basic Rules: Part 2: When Boats Meet

10. ON OPPOSITE TACKS
When are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat.
 
11. ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED
When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat. 
12. ON THE SAME TACK, NOT OVERLAPPED
When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
 
13. WHILE TACKING
After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close-hauled course.  During that time rules 1011 and 12 do not apply. If two boats are subject to this rule at the same time, the one on the other’s port side or the one astern shall keep clear.
Test your skills with question and answer test::
 
 
Registration – Elliott lease for training

Click on the links below to register if you haven’t already:

Book an Elliott for a 3 hour training session:

ELLIOTT TRAINING FOR HOBART CUP – Cruising Yacht Club of SA – revolutioniseSPORT

Friends of the HMAS Hobart

 

Accommodation

Click on the links below for more information
There is a range of accommodation available within a short drive of the Club including: