Women's ENEWS

Pictures courtesy of Steb Fisher

Women’s Sailing

Report on Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta 2009 

A very successful weekend for RBYC with three boats and twenty five lady crew competing in the 19^th Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta at RMYS over the Queen’s Birthday weekend. Three crews travelled from interstate to join the women from around Port Phillip Bay in intense competition.

Weather conditions displayed the full hand over the weekend, with Saturday and Sunday racing sailed in light and variable winds, until the wind ran out completely on Sunday afternoon, resulting in abandonment of Race 4. Fortunately, Monday saw the passage of the cold front across the bay, bringing with it building lively conditions with NW winds 15-25kn, which pushed the girls to the limit over three very demanding races.

At the end of the six race series, honours went to Emma Peters and her very polished crew aboard the Adams 10 "Top Gun" from RYCV, for outstanding performances in all weathers, to take out the honours in PHS, IRC and AMS for the regatta. Congratulations to this dedicated bunch of girls whose regular training and superb teamwork saw them successfully defend their win from last year’s regatta.

A fantastic effort by new owner /skipper Kathy DeGaris and co-skipper Stephane Howarth and their crew aboard Allegresse, saw them place second overall in PHS. Consistent performances in all weathers resulted in scores 17-4-3-6-3 for the regatta.
Congratulations to Kathy for receiving the inaugural trophy for the Best Performing Boat owned by a female skipper.

Hot on the heels of Allegresse, Alison Binks from RMYS with her crew aboard Meridian Passage placed a very close third only half a point behind.

Our recently departed RBYC Sailing Administrator Sarah Phillips joined Sally Williams (now Sailing Administrator at RMYS) aboard Adams Rib for the weekend for a final sail before she headed off overseas to other horizons.

With the slow start to the regatta, Adams Rib and Ingenue, struggled to get the boats moving in the light airs on Saturday and Sunday, and declared a new "Nine Ton Division" to keep the racing spirit alive! With the higher winds on Sunday, RBYC sisters, Rosie Colahan and Sally Williams took control of the day’s racing, with Ingenue winning Race 4& 5 and Adams Rib winning Race 6. Final results placed Ingenue 4^th in PHS and 8^th in AMS and Adams Rib 10^th in PHS.

Next year will be an evening bigger regatta for the 20^th Anniversary of AWKR and RBYC is well placed with the increasing numbers of skilled skippers and crews emerging in the women’s ranks, to have an even greater presence next year.

So come on girls, put your hand up now and start planning for next season to come and join in the fun and competition of a truly national all women regatta.

Planning for the coming season is happening now and we are aiming to get crews organised well before the start of the 2009-2010 season so contact us now to register your interest .

Email your interest now to Rosie Colahan or Merella Curtis.