Please select your home edition
Edition
PredictWind - Offshore App 728x90 TOP

Port Phillip Women's Championship Series - Race 4

by Port Phillip Women's Championship Series Media 17 Apr 2016 23:25 PDT 17 April 2016

Round four of the 2016 Port Phillip Women's Championship Series, hosted by Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, saw 25 boats hit the start line, yesterday the 17th April, in a generous 10 – 15 knots sou'westerly. With only one more race of the series these participation numbers, combined with the previous 3 races make this season's Championship Series the most successful year in Women and Girls in Sailing since it's initiation in 2013.

This event was originally named the 'Lady Skippers' Race' but in 2005 was renamed the 'Jennifer Goldsmith Perpetual Trophy'. Despite the name change it's still retained the original regulations for the Lady Skippers Race whereby the helm must be female and mixed crews are welcome. There were, however, still some all female crews racing including that of Joanne Norbury's 'Executive Decision.'

The course was a two lapper around 'Royal Melbourne's' fixed marks allowing teams to practice their starboard mark roundings, gybes, reaching and tactical upwind sailing. Boat handling skills from all teams were exceptional with all the small tasks such as communication, timing and execution demonstrated as second nature.

25 boats made for a crowded start line putting emphasis on getting a clear lane. Some boats fell behind and had to tack out, while others held on and persisted to the left, splitting the fleet in two. Those who went left gained from going inshore while those who went right needed a strong downwind to close the gap. For the 2016 Jennifer Goldsmith Perpetual Trophy winner, 'Silhouette', being persistent and conservative was their game plan. Claire Scanlon, skipper of 'Silhouette', explains:

"We were lucky enough to have a clean start but being a 32 footer had to work really hard in keeping up with the tail end of the big boats who wanted to go left. We were able to stick in there and that gave us a strong position for the rest of the race. We also tried to stay away from the traffic but was sure to be aggressive at the marks so we could secure our spot for the next leg."

Not only did 'Silhouette' take out the YV Performance Handicapping division but they also scored 2nd place in AMS to 'Frenzy.' 'Salamander III' came first in the IRC division with 'Audacious' not far behind and for this particular race there was no Non- Spinnaker racers.

The Goldsmith family not only fund the perpetual trophy but they present prizes to the top three winner in the Performance Handicap Division. All entry fees from this event go towards melanoma research.

Race 4 Results:

AMS
1. Frenzy – Stephanie Strong
2. Silhouette – Claire Scanlon
3. Take Five – Christine Pfieffer

IRC
1. Salamander III – Monica Jones
2. Audacious – Tracey Baldwin
3. Serious Yahoo – Vanessa Twigg

PHS
1. Silhouette – Claire Scanlon
2. Frenzy – Stephanie Strong
3. Serious Yahoo – Vanessa Twigg

This event celebrates women in sailing and aims to attract more female skipper and crew into racing. Although not a leg of the Port Phillip Women's Championship Series, the Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta shares the same vision. This annual event is in it's 26th year and often attracts more than 160 participants with this year aiming to smash those numbers. The dates for this event are the 11 -13 June and will also be held at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron. For more information and to register for this event please click here.

The final leg of the 2016 Port Phillip Women's Championship Series is the annual BLiSS regatta held over two days at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club from the 30 April – 1 May. Practice sessions have been highly successful with over 40 participants coming to each event. For more information and to register for this last race of the season visit the Women and Girls in Sailing website or their Facebook Page. Progressive results can be found here.

Related Articles

SailGP's return to Auckland for Season 6 confirmed
ITM is the NZ's Grand Prix's Title Partner, marking a fourth year supporting Black Foils. After a record breaking debut, the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Auckland has been confirmed to be returning in 2026 and is set to be bigger than ever. Posted on 26 Jun
Rolex SailGP Championship 2026 dates confirmed
Including a return to fan-favorite destination, Auckland SailGP has released further details of forthcoming 2026 Season, including the return of fan-favorite locations, multi-year hosting agreements secured across all regions, and an evolved regional structure to raise the stakes for athletes and fans alike. Posted on 26 Jun
44Cup Marstrand 2025 day 2
Aleph Racing takes the lead after glorious four race day The 44Cup is nothing but surprises. Day two of competition for the one-design owner-driver RC44s at the 44Cup Marstrand was forecast to be light but in fact provided further magnificent conditions, with sunshine and flatter seas than yesterday. Posted on 26 Jun
Pip Hare Announced as Patron of WORLDSTAR 2026
A meaningful return to her roots with the Royal Western Yacht Club of England The Royal Western Yacht Club (RWYC) is absolutely delighted to welcome solo ocean racing legend Pip Hare as the Patron of WORLDSTAR 2026—our flagship round-the-world sailing event. This is more than a title; it's a homecoming. Posted on 26 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 7
British mixed dominance in dinghy and catamaran After the second day of the Sailing Grand Slam in the Olympic mixed classes, Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris are leading the 470 class even more dominantly than John Gimson and Anna Burnet in the Nacra 17 on Thursday (June 26). Posted on 26 Jun
29th Superyacht Cup Palma day 1
Cervo and Open Season take opening day honours The Superyacht Cup Palma 2025 swung into action today, with captains and crews across the varied and inspiring fleet seizing the opportunity to take the measure of the competition out on the racecourse. Posted on 26 Jun
J/70 Mixed-Plus Worlds at Lake Garda Day 1
Yupi leads after a perfect opening day in Torbole Lake Garda delivered its finest conditions for the opening day of the first-ever J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship: three races completed in a steady, warm Ora breeze peaking at 20 knots. Posted on 26 Jun
Tschüss 2 - Transatlantic Titans
Line Honours for Christian Zugel's Volvo 70 in the Transatlantic Race 2025 Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 (USA), owned by Christian Zugel and co-skippered by Johnny Mordaunt, has taken Line Honours in the West to East Transatlantic Race 2025 in an elapsed time of 07 Day 15 Hrs 29 Mins and 10 Secs. Posted on 26 Jun
Craig Wood Makes History
The first triple amputee to sail solo non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific Craig is the first triple amputee to sail solo non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific, completing the 7506nm journey from Mexico to Japan in 90 days. Posted on 26 Jun
NTG Global Graduate Program
Shape your career and propel yourself into the world of innovation North Technology Group, a global leader in advanced composite technology, is offering an exciting and dynamic graduate program that will shape your career and propel you into the world of innovation. Posted on 26 Jun
Switch One DesignAllen Dynamic 40 FooterRooster 2025