S80

S80 REPORT S80 Legends Ride Again!

Images by Bernie Kaaks

John Holder’s photo table drew plenty of interest

To understand the origins of the annual Legends race, you need a little family history.

Most readers will be familiar with the name “Ron Tough”. It appears regularly on your annual subscription renewal, with an invitation to contribute to the legacy that supports hundreds of young sailors and needy clubs. The Ron Tough Foundation has amassed a healthy investment fund, overseen by a Board of Trustees. The Foundation annually grants thousands of dollars to talented sailors and support teams in Ron Tough’s memory.

Ron Tough’s son Alan followed in his father’s footsteps with an enthusiastic love of sailing and a unique talent for organisation. He headed up the Yachting WA (now Australian Sailing WA Region) and also became President of the S80 Association, sailing competitively in his own yacht, Surcouf.

Alan passed away in November 2016 but Surcouf still races regularly on the Swan River.

Within weeks of Alan’s death, class stalwart John Holder organised a tribute race to recognise the enormous contribution Alan made to the sport during his lifetime. John contacted all S80 owners, convincing them to lend their boat (and crew) to one of the past champions from the class to sail on a Wednesday afternoon. Spinnakers would be banned.

Support for the concept was incredible. It resonated with both boat owners and champions of the past so

Above, The fleet heads downwind Below, Gerry Drysdale (Shadowfax) was the early leader

it was decided to brand the event as the Legends’ Race, to be alternated between Royal Perth Yacht Club and South of Perth Yacht Club each year.

The S80’s origins are interesting. Amid the sailing hysteria of Australia’s challenges for the America’s Cup, many young families aspired to join the sailing community. The J24, a 7.3 metre popular weekender, gained traction along the east coast, but in the West a pair of keen yachtsmen, Andy White and John Ducat put their heads together to design a roomier and more family-friendly yacht that would perform strongly on the race track while having enough space for family weekend trips, all at about the same price point as the J24.

S80 concept drawings passed to naval architect Kim Swarbrick, who converted the idea into working drawings and thus the 8 metre S80 class was born. White and Ducat took delivery of the first boats out of the mould. Members at Royal Perth Yacht Club and South of Perth Yacht Club race together as a division, alternating between clubs. The Association wisely retained tight class rules so boats have remained well matched in competition.

Always eager to push the class, veteran John Holder decided to broaden the appeal of the 2020 Legends’ Race by inviting all past S80 sailors, whether they sailed as skipper or crew, to come to South of Perth Yacht Club to watch the finish of this year’s race and then mingle with crews afterwards. John set out a table of photos from a variety of S80 events. Retired sailing journalist Rob Vaisey, who covered sailing events for the West Australian for many years, was also on hand to share his album of souvenir clippings.

Wednesday 24th November turned out to be a beautiful day. A light south easterly at the start quickly gave way to a moderate south westerly, providing perfect conditions for the race.

Gerry Drysdale (Shadowfax) judged the start best, hitting the line with plenty of pace and with clean air rounded the pair of top marks with a decisive early lead. Tony Strickland (Kabisa), started well at the port end as did Dave Hepburn (Hobo) at the starboard end (writer’s note: I sailed two Bunbury City Classics on Hobo continued over/...

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