Parmelia Yacht Race
Encyclopedia
The Parmelia Race was a one-off yacht race held in 1979 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first British settlers at the Swan River Colony
. The 11350 miles (18,266 km) race started from Plymouth
, England and finished at Fremantle, Western Australia
. 38 yachts left Plymouth in October 1979 and included boats from Australia, South Africa, France, United Kingdom, Holland, Poland, Italy and Spain. Competitors had a compulsory stopover at Cape Town
. The event was the longest-ever staged yacht race at the time.
The race had two divisions; 25 entries in the open division, and 13 in the International Offshore Rule
(IOR) division. The open division was a pursuit race, with each yacht planning its own departure date and time with the aim of arriving at the finish at 11:00 hours local time on the 25 November 1979. Penalties for late and early arrivals applied as well as a complex scoring system which penalised boats not arriving between the hours of 10:00 and 16:00. Bonus points were given for navigation and turn-out.
The first boats crossed the line on 22 November 1979. The 75' Siska skippered by Rolly Tasker
took line honours and won the IOR division, and Independent Endeavour skippered by Skip Novak won on handicap. Independent Endeavour sailed the course in 32 days.
On 25 November 1979 the 26 ton French ketch Anitra II sank after hitting a reef off Cape Vlamingh at Rottnest Island
. The hull was salvaged and was on display near the Rottnest Museum for a number of years afterwards.
The race was named after the Parmelia
, a 443 ton barque which carried Captain James Stirling
and 67 civilians from Plymouth to the new colony, arriving there on 1 June 1829.
Swan River Colony
The Swan River Colony was a British settlement established in 1829 on the Swan River, in Western Australia. The name was a pars pro toto for Western Australia. In 1832, the colony was officially renamed Western Australia, when the colony's founding Lieutenant-Governor, Captain James Stirling,...
. The 11350 miles (18,266 km) race started from Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, England and finished at Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
. 38 yachts left Plymouth in October 1979 and included boats from Australia, South Africa, France, United Kingdom, Holland, Poland, Italy and Spain. Competitors had a compulsory stopover at Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. The event was the longest-ever staged yacht race at the time.
The race had two divisions; 25 entries in the open division, and 13 in the International Offshore Rule
International Offshore Rule
The International Offshore Rule was a measurement rule for racing sailboats. The IOR evolved from the Cruising Club of America rule for racer/cruisers and the Royal Ocean Racing Club rule.-Rule context - past and present rating systems:...
(IOR) division. The open division was a pursuit race, with each yacht planning its own departure date and time with the aim of arriving at the finish at 11:00 hours local time on the 25 November 1979. Penalties for late and early arrivals applied as well as a complex scoring system which penalised boats not arriving between the hours of 10:00 and 16:00. Bonus points were given for navigation and turn-out.
The first boats crossed the line on 22 November 1979. The 75' Siska skippered by Rolly Tasker
Rolly Tasker
Rolland "Rolly" Tasker AM is an Australian sailor who won Australia’s first sailing medal at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. He and Malcolm Scott won a silver medal in their 12m2 Sharpie after the New Zealander Peter Mander failed to disqualify himself and Rolly had not officially protested...
took line honours and won the IOR division, and Independent Endeavour skippered by Skip Novak won on handicap. Independent Endeavour sailed the course in 32 days.
On 25 November 1979 the 26 ton French ketch Anitra II sank after hitting a reef off Cape Vlamingh at Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is located off the coast of Western Australia, near Fremantle. It is called Wadjemup by the Noongar people, meaning "place across the water". The island is long, and at its widest point with a total land area of . It is classified as an A Class Reserve and is managed by the...
. The hull was salvaged and was on display near the Rottnest Museum for a number of years afterwards.
The race was named after the Parmelia
Parmelia (barque)
The Parmelia was a barque that was used to transport the first civilian officials and settlers of the Swan River Colony to Western Australia in 1829....
, a 443 ton barque which carried Captain James Stirling
James Stirling (Australian governor)
Admiral Sir James Stirling RN was a British naval officer and colonial administrator. His enthusiasm and persistence persuaded the British Government to establish the Swan River Colony and he became the first Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Western Australia...
and 67 civilians from Plymouth to the new colony, arriving there on 1 June 1829.