Alruth in action. Supplied image.
by Frank Quealey
The Alf Beashel Memorial Trophy race is the traditional start to the Australian 18 Footers League racing season each October on Sydney Harbour, and the honour of first place is certainly deserved for Alf, who was Secretary at the League for 43 years.
Alf is revered at the League. He built and skippered several 18s under the name of ‘Alruth’ (named after Alf and his wife Ruth) as well as being a pioneer for the international development of the 18s.
He organized trips to the USA which resulted in Roger Welch becoming the first US representative at the Giltinan Championship, and was also a strong supporter during the UK’s early years.
Alf with a model 18 foooter. Supplied image.
Alf’s son Ken was the first Australian to become a two-time winner of the Giltinan Championship when he won the 1963 series in ‘Schemer’ and the 1968 event in ‘Daily Telegraph’.
In his memory, the fixed Yachting Association of NSW buoy near the Sow and Pigs reef in Sydney Harbour (now used as the windward rounding mark for the League’s North-East course) was named the Beashel Buoy.
Aside from these achievements, the League’s great respect for Alf is surely due to his unbelievable gesture when he retired prematurely from his draftsman’s job so he could put his superannuation money into helping the League secure the site its clubhouse sits on today.
The League’s President John Winning is always conscious of the club’s history and the people who have helped to make it the strong 18 Footer organization it is today. He was instrumental in having the club’s stylish dining room carry the name ‘Alruth’ in Alf’s honour.
1968 Daily Telegraph. Supplied image.
Sunday’s race will see a fleet of 17 skiffs line up for the trophy.
There will be at least one of the new skiffs, Yandoo (John Winning) and possibly the new Thurlow Fisher Lawyers (Michael Coxon) competing however the other new skiffs Smeg (Nick Press) and Pure Blonde (James Francis) are still two weeks away.
These two teams, along with a couple of others awaiting the return of their skiffs from international competition, will compete in borrowed boats.
Flying 18s
