The Tooth Cup Trophy presented for the Hastings River 18-foot Championship Port Macquarie Regatta
Date1934
Object number00001726
NameTrophy
MediumBrass or nickle, silver plating, wood
DimensionsOverall: 280 x 280 x 180 mm, 1.05 kg
ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Faye Magner
DescriptionThis Tooth Cup trophy was presented to the Hastings River 18-foot Championship winners for the Port Macquarie Regatta. The race was won by the skiff BRITANNIA in 1934 and this cup presented by Tooth & Co Limited to Georgie Robinson, the designer, builder and skipper of the 18-foot skiff.HistoryThe 18-footer skiffs are designed to reach extreme speeds and provide an exciting and attractive sport for spectators to watch. This was the aim of the vessels when they were first designed in the late 19th century. The origins of the sport are attributed to Mark Foy and a group of businessmen who were the founding members of the Sydney Flying Yacht Squadron, reported to have been established on 19 October 1891 in the 'Sydney Morning Herald'. The club advocated for sailing to be open to all types of vessels and sailors. Their first competitive race is believed to have been held on Sydney Harbour on 26 January 1892.
The 18-ft skiff BRITANNIA was designed and built in Balmain in 1919 by skipper George Robinson, known as 'Wee Georgie'. The boat and its skipper were very prominent in the 18 foot skiff class between the two world wars and won many races.SignificanceThis cup is representative of awards given out at yachting regattas in Australia and the competitive sport of 18-foot skiff racing.
