Rockal Evans and his fellow crew aboard Matador made a triumphant start to the defence of their Pallas Capital Gold Cup title in Sydney, Australia.

David Doherty’s TP52 came out top of the ten-boat racing fleet in Act 1 of this year’s series after claiming both TPR and IRC honours.

The defending champions came from behind to win the opening 36-mile race from Clarke Island in Sydney Harbour to Port Hacking and back on corrected time after crossing the finish line in second.

“The first day was a passage race 70km long from Sydney Harbour to Port Hacking offshore and we finished second across the line, but first on corrected time TPR rating and IRC rating,” Evans told The Royal Gazette.

Doherty’s team then produced a 4-4 record in the two races on Sunday held on the windward-leeward course inside Sydney Harbour, which was enough to clinch the overall title.

“Day two was scheduled for three windward-leeward races but it was very light wind in the morning, so the start was delayed,” Evans added.

“We had two tricky races on Sydney Harbour but we sailed consistent and came away with the win overall in both rating, TPR and IRC.

“Matador was out of the water for maybe six months for a refit and this was the first regatta back.”

Koa, owned and skippered by Andy Kearnan, finished second on TPR, with Craig Neil's Quest placing third.

Marcus Blackmore's Hooligan finished second on IRC, with Koa rounding off the podium in third.