Sail Port Stephens – Full sailing spectrum

SPS15 Campeador Performance Cruising the division two overall winner - Sail Port Stephens 2015 Saltwater Images

SPS15 Performance Racing final day start - Sail Port Stephens 2015 © Saltwater Images

The Performance Cruising fleet enjoyed a variety of passage courses over three days, April 17-19, within the picturesque Nelson Bay and offshore around the islands. For Performance Racing, two middle distance races either side of three windward/leewards changed the pace.

Performance racing

SPS15 Len Payne's Kerinda second overall performance racing - Sail Port Stephens 2015 © Saltwater Images

Adrian Walters’ sexy new oversized sportsboat called Little Nico (MHYC) won its first Sail Port Stephens in the five race Performance Racing series from Len Payne’s competitive Lidgard 10.6 Kerinda from Lake Macquarie, four points the margin.

SPS15 Adrian Walters Little Nico - Sail Port Stephens 2015 © Saltwater Images

“I thought the series was lovely and enjoyed the different courses inside Nelson Bay and out, plus the weather was very kind to us all,” Walters recapped. “If we had more wind we would get up and plane, though in the light air we proved ourselves. The regatta was well run and the competitors chatty and friendly which makes for a nice time. It’s a good concept, and close to Sydney.”

It’s lucky for Walters he “knows a few guys”. His wised-up crew included Bruce Clarke calling tactics, Justin Ferris from Doyle Sails NZ, Will Parker, Will McKenzie and Brett van Munster, builder of the Shaw 11m Little Nico.

Performance cruising

SPS15 Performance Cruising the division one winner L'Esprit - Sail Port Stephens 2015 © Saltwater Images

Peter Byford is a Sail Port Stephens regular with six under his belt, both with his previous boat Joie de Vie and his new Jeanneau 469 L’Esprit that made its Port Stephens debut last week and once again proved a worthwhile buy. Byford followed up his division win at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week with a best score in Performance Cruising the division one, finally beating Graham Morton’s Frers 61, Margaret Rintoul V.

“I’ve been doing Sail Port Stephens since the early days and I’ve got seconds and thirds but always been knocked off the top spot by Margaret Rintoul. We are pretty pleased to get ahead of them this time,” said the proud skipper. “I’ve always like Sail Port Stephens, it’s very laid back but with good competition. It’s a great venue and great conditions for sailing.”

Jonathan Threlfall and his Jeanneau Sunfast 36 Campeador from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron came out on top of a very closely contested performance cruising the division two, only two points separating first to fourth after three passage races.

“Ours was a close division; all the boats seemed to go well…some were exceptionally fast. We were all pretty well matched,” Threlfall said. “We found the sailing very good, the races very well managed, and I enjoyed the scenery.”

Second in the division two was David Edmiston’s Jeanneau So37p called Passion, the third was Dave Griffin’s Al Fresco, winner of the division two of the three day Commodore’s Cup series earlier in the week.

A forecasted cold front held off on Sunday April 19 long enough for race crews to enjoy a sixth and final day of what was an extraordinary run of warm and dry weather and gentle breezes.

Pantaenius’ major sponsorship of the annual regatta that began in 2008 continued for the eighth edition and again Sail Port Stephens was proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

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