Please select your home edition
Edition
Exposure Marine

Competitors endorse Sail Port Stephens changes in numbers

by Sail Port Stephens 29 Mar 2023 22:55 PDT
Sail Port Stephens Passage Race - IRC Soozal © Roni Bintang

The adage 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' was ringing in the minds of Sail Port Stephens organisers after 15 successful years, however the decision to revamp the regatta formula for 2023 is paying dividends, with competitors embracing the changes ahead of the opening salvo on April 24.

Marina berths, moorings and motels are solidly booked as entries near 90 yachts for the inaugural Passage Series, which combines the Commodores Cup and Port Stephens Trophy events into five days. With more likely to come, it's set to be a record fleet for the initial days of racing.

Among them will be the Reichel Pugh 52 Virago, Hanse 575 Fourth Dimension IV, Farr 51 51st Project from Port Stephens, the Kerr 40 Condor, Farr 400 Vento and Tofinou 12 Albenia, with Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (16 entries), Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (10), Port Stephens Yacht Club (8) and Royal Motor Yacht Club Port Hacking (5) well represented.

There's a wide array of entries from the stables of Beneteau, Bavaria, Elan, Hanse, Jeanneau and Northshore, Port Stephens being a sailors' paradise for production cruiser-racers. While PHS is currently the preferred handicapping system for the Passage Series, based on entries, the Port Stephens Trophy offers an alternative for those who enjoy passage racing but prefer ORC - this is the premier performance trophy of the first week.

The Windward-Leeward Series and ORC-handicapped Rob Hampshire Cup, set for May 5-7, will feature up to a dozen TP52s competing in Act 3 of the intraclass 2023 Gold Cup, along with 12 IRC and ORC entries. Again, a late flood of entries is expected.

Significantly, the reduced strain on marina berths has opened the door to more first-time competitors as, previously, some yachts were occupying berths for the entire week yet only racing in one or other series.

"Our objective was to make better use of the finite number of berths and moorings, in order to grow the event and allow fresh participation," Regatta Director Paul O'Rourke says. "We believe there are still some opportunities for the May 5-7 Windward-Leeward Series and Rob Hampshire Cup."

Pittwater's Royal Prince Alfred YC is staging its Pittwater to Port Stephens race on 22 April, starting 10am, as the final and possible deciding event in its Coastal Pointscore series. Also, the timing of the club's Pittwater to Coffs Harbour classic (31 March) avoids a clash with Sail Port Stephens, boosting both fleets.

Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club's annual feeder race on April 23 currently has 15 entries for the 22 nautical mile crossing of Stockton Bight from Newcastle Harbour - that's expected to double by race time as more local and visiting yachts get their entries sorted. Included is the Making Waves Lyons 54 helmed by Wendy Tuck.

Last but not least in the Sail Port Stephens triumvirate is the inshore Bay Series that will bring together Finns, Lasers, Tasars, Aeros and Windsurfers from May 20-21, sailing out of the Bay Sailing Centre. Trailer sailers are accommodated with three days of passage racing, starting May 19, and a dedicated windward-leeward course will be offered for sports boats and J70s.

The International Canoe class is a late addition to the Bay Series. The Canoe is the world's oldest sailing dinghy, dating back to the 1860s. Sailed solo with hiking planks and a high-aspect sloop rig, they're exceptionally fast and exciting to sail and watch.

Social aspects of SPS23 will be another highlight. Brix Distillers is supporting the welcome party on April 24 while Zilzie Wines will provide a complimentary glass of wine to Ball guests at Shoal Bay Country Club on April 26 - an Aussie bush dress theme applies. Port Stephens-based Murray's Craft Brewing Co is also supporting the event.

Windward-Leeward and Bay Series competitors also have welcome events and daily prizes to look forward to.

Sail Port Stephens is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, along with our valuable sponsors and event partners.

Related Articles

SailGP: Spain win in New York - Day 2
Diego Botin's Spanish crew scraped into the Final, and then took their second successive SailGP win. The Spanish crew led by Diego Botin staged a comeback in the last race after losing an 8pt lead to squeeze into the Final, only taking the lead halfway through the three boat Final. Full race replay here. Posted today at 12:38 am
Loro Piana Giraglia day 2
The mistral day! Right on schedule, the Mistral swept into the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, starting at 20 knots in the morning and building to over 30 by early afternoon. Posted on 8 Jun
40th Annapolis-to-Newport Race day 2
Rainstorms clear in time for start An hour before the start of the 40th biennial Annapolis-to-Newport Race, a massive storm front swept over Annapolis. It steadily grew darker and more ominous as boats motored towards the starting area for the mandatory check-in with the Race Committee. Posted on 8 Jun
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Overall
Canadian Lewin Lafrance sisters win first major championship Georgia and Antonia Lewin Lafrance have been on the rise for the last six years, and now find themselves on top. Posted on 8 Jun
NBA Legend joins Emirates GBR
Jeremy Lamb flying high on an F50 at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix NBA Legend Jeremy Lamb joined Emirates GBR on-board their F50 race boat on Day One of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix. Lamb experienced the thrill of foiling on the 50ft catamaran race boat on the Hudson River. Posted on 8 Jun
Martin Augustus Round the Island Race Gallery
Top photos as the fleet rounded St. Catherine's Point Top yachting photographer Martin Augustus was at St. Catherine's Point to catch some of the fleet rounding the famous landmark during this year's Round the Island Race. Posted on 8 Jun
2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA overall
A tense light-air final on the Severn River USA's women's match racing team Team Baam skippered by Allie Blecher from California won the 2025 Santa Maria Cup today, defeating Vela Racing team skippered by Nicole Breault 3-0 in a tense light-air final on the Severn River. Posted on 8 Jun
Tom Hicks Round the Island Race Photo Gallery
Stunning images from the Solent photographer out on the water Stunning photos from Solent Photographer Tom Hicks out on the water as he caught the action in the 2025 Round the Island Race on Saturday. Posted on 8 Jun
Scandinavian Gold Cup at Sopot, Poland overall
Jürg Menzi wins third on Marie-Françoise XXII Marie-Françoise XXII (SUI 233, Jürg Menzi, Jürgen Eiermann, Christof Wilke) has won the 2025 Scandinavian Gold Cup in Sopot, Poland, after the event went the full length to seven races. Posted on 8 Jun
SailGP: Final race win saves series for BlackFoils
A victory in the final fleet race of the day boosted the Black Foils into fourth after three races A victory in the final fleet race of the day boosted the Black Foils into fourth after three races on the opening day of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix. Posted on 8 Jun
RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERPalm Beach Motor YachtsSelden 2020 - FOOTER