Annual Women’s Challenge at Manly YC a winner

by Ivana Gattegno and Judy Cole on 30 Mar 2012 Helly Hansen Women’s Challenge was held on Sunday, 25th March 2012 at Manly Yacht Club.

The annual Women’s Challenge, aimed at encouraging more female sailors to take the helm, proved there are no gender barriers to fun and success on the water. In its 17th year the event has been as popular as ever. A total of 42 yachts and centreboard boats competed for glory and the Helly Hansen prizes.

The most hotly contested division was the Access 303s with female Sailability members, including many with disabilities, racing for the coveted One Design Trophy.

This year in the Access Division, Margaret Price, with Eli Demeny as crew, beat off Judy Cole with Kate Boyd, and Jackie Morgan with Jessika Kelderman for the top spot.

Other divisions included sailors from around Sydney Harbour, Pittwater and as far as Hobart and Brisbane.

Women and girls entered their own boats in the event or borrowed boats. Some crews took on the extra challenge of sailing with an unknown boat owner, an unknown boat and some with crew members they’d never met. Others trained for weeks to hone their skills ,all in the essence of good racing, good fun and the prospect of winning their division.

The weather was kind this year with moderate south easterly breezes a change from last year’s wild conditions.

The event saw Last Tango helm Wendy Tuck take out first place in the all girl crew in division 1, One More No More Kath Hughes in the Division 2, Alcamy Ruth Lawrence in the Division 3, Lautrec Lee Ebeling Division 4, Okavanga Delta Emma Reid in the J24 Division 5 and Sqwall Candace Christenson in the Lasers division 8.

Manly Yacht club would like to thank all the competitors, our major sponsor Helly Hansen and our supporting sponsors Space Spa and Space Bar and Jendi for supporting women and Event website