Memorabilia of the Anglo Australian Challenge
Date1989
Object numberANMS0202
NameArchive series
MediumPaper
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Mary Shaw
DescriptionThis archive series numbered [001] - [003] consists of material collected by businessman, entrepreneur and keen sailor Mark Foy relating to the Anglo-Australian Challenge on the River Medway in 1898. It includes a commemorative poster of the challenge depicting IREX and MAID OF KENT, Mr and Mrs W L Wyllie, Mark Foy and crew members; a commemorative program of the challenge featuring photographs of Mark Foy, IREX and its crew; and a sketch of the IREX and MAID OF KENT racing on the reverse of an invitation by W L Wyllie. The material was donated by Foy's granddaughter Mary Shaw.History"Who cares who wins when no-one knows? And the kernel of this sport is always wasted, not only to the spectators but to the competitor... who cares what the boats are doing when they sail out of sight?"
In 1895, entrepreneur and founding Commodore of the Sydney Flying Squadron Mark Foy (1865-1950) wrote this about the manoeuvres of the big yachts in regattas. He preferred the potential of Sydney's smaller open boats. Open boats, or skiffs, were beamy boats with huge sails - and large crews of waterfront workers for ballast. Based on workboats from six to 24 feet (1.8 - 7.3m) long they were a spectacle on Sydney Harbour. Skiff racing was a tough working-man's sport.
Foy introduced rules to make the sport more lively - coloured emblems for the sails, a short triangular course with handicapped stat, large prize money and spectator ferries with punters following the races. By the 1920s the open boats were standardised as 18-footers and were racing in Western Australia and Queensland.
In 1898 he challenged the Medway Yacht Club in England to a match race series entitled the Anglo Australian shield. Unsuccessful, he challenged again in 1898.
1890-1925
1892 - 1941
