D'Arcy Race 2024

To our intrepid ocean faring sailors, the time is nearing to start thinking about booking accommodation for next year’s D’Arcy Race at Rottnest Island. Accommodation for next March can be booked from Wednesday, 5 July 2023. A guide to booking accommodation at Rottnest can be found here.

The D’Arcy Race, scheduled for 9th March 2024, has a long and proud history at the Club and was established following the tragic events of one Cape Vlamingh race in the 1980s.

Below is an excerpt from Graeme Henderson’s Club history book which gives a harrowing description of the day’s events.

“Jim D’Arcy sailing his Spirit 28 “Howzat” at the Southwestern corner of Rottnest was hit by a big wave in very rough windy conditions and his wife Betty was washed overboard. Jim D’Arcy tried to save her however they were both lost in the rough seas despite the efforts of the crew to find them. So many members of the Club joined in the search the following day, however, they were never found. In the mid 1990s, member Harry Ramsay suggested a short offshore yacht race finishing at Rottnest calling it the “D’Arcy Race” would be a wonderful tribute to Jim and Betty.”

And so the D’Arcy Race was conceived.

Registrations for the 2024 D’Arcy Race will open in the lead up to the race. In the meantime don’t delay booking accommodation if required!