A recent annual yacht race at the Metung Yacht Club (MYC) commemorated David and James Byrne, with a memorial trophy of significant standing.
The David and James Byrne Memorial Trophy Race was held on Saturday, January 25, and supported by three generations of the Byrne family in attendance, sailing in the race, and on shore.
Course 13 was chosen, taking the fleet into Lake King on an axis of 135 degrees, with wind six-11 knots and two windward-leeward returns over 0.7 nautical miles.
Eight yachts entered with four Etchells in division one and four Keelboats in division two.
First across the finish line was Come Monday, with Stephen Bull on helm, crewed by Dean Smith and Stuart Loft.
It was a clean sweep for the Come Monday crew, winning line honours, taking out the Byrne Memorial Trophy by winning the Etchells scratch series race seven, the MYC trophy race number four, and club championship race seven.
It was also a significant win for skipper Stephen Bull and Stuart Loft.
Bull contested his first Sydney to Hobart race on board with David Byrne, and his last Sydney to Hobart race on board with Sam Byrne.
Loft spoke about his memories sailing with and against James Byrne.
The Byrne family was well-represented on the water and at the presentation, with Jamie’s son, David, speaking on behalf of the family.
The late David’s daughter, Trish, sailed in the race on board the family boat, Southerly Buster, along with her grandson, Digby Fletcher, and her husband Brian Perkins.
On the helm was family friend, Tim Hall, with Southerly Buster finishing fifth on handicap, and the first keelboat.
The first four handicapped positions were all Etchells yachts, Come Monday, followed by Leading Edge, then New Wave, and Elusive.