HMAS HOBART CUP
Details
Event information
The Hobart Cup is a participatory event proudly presented by the following parties:
The Naval Military and Airforce Club of SA
The HMAS Hobart Association 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