Please select your home edition
Edition
PredictWind - Routing 728x90 TOP

First entry received for 2023 Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta

by Di Pearson/AWKR media 18 Apr 2023 22:28 PDT 9-12 June 2023
Monica Jones and her Sequel crew on a run last year - Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta © Andrea Francolini

With destination regattas and and travel back in full swing, Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYS) is looking forward to hosting a large entry for the 31st Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta (AWKR), to take place over the King's Birthday weekend of 9-12 June - and the first entrant has already booked her spot.

Committee Chairwoman and competitor, Monica Jones said, "We just opened entries and we've already had interest from around Australia and New Zealand. We've also received our first entry - Maree Fitzpatrick - who has entered the S80, Breagan."

The S80s have their own division, due to a strong showing each year, so Braegan's crew will enjoy the thrill of boat-on-boat competition that the class delivers each year.

"It's fantastic to see the regatta grow. It lifts your spirits. It's a unique regatta that I've very much valued throughout my sailing," said Fitzpatrick, who was a novice at the inaugural AWKR in 1991. "At the time I was an active dinghy sailor though.

"I spent the next three years of the regatta on Rage with Catherine Rhumberg. I was generally in the cockpit and sometimes sheethand. She encouraged me to be a skipper. I raced on Shambles next and then I skippered Taddy and we finished third overall."

Fitzpatrick sails for Williamstown Sailing Club, where she became Commodore last year: "I'm keen on promoting women in sailing," she enthused.

"I entered this year as a I have a couple of women fairly new to sailing and they wanted to do the regatta. That was all the encouragement I needed."

Braegan is owned by Chris Connelly. "Chris said he'd loan the boat to someone with a bit of experience, so I'm very thankful to him. We are very appreciative. We'll be doing our best, but it's more about the crew moving forward with their sailing," she ended.

Boat loans are just one of the joys and benefits of the AWKR. Owners make it possible for especially interstate and Kiwi crews to arrive and jump on loan boat, which cuts down costs.

Monica Jones has skippered her owns boats at the regatta for years. Last year she skippered Anthony Landgren's J70, Sequel, which she is to skipper again this year. Aboard will be the mainstay of her regular crew.

The Melbourne sailor will again take on some classy sailors in other J70s, such as triple Olympian, Karyn Gojnich with Jabiru from Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in NSW.

"We are definitely planning to come down. Maria Nash and Sarah Ladd from our club are also bringing a J70 down and I hope some of the Melbourne sailors will field a couple of entries too," said Gojnich, winner of Division 2 last year from second placed Ladd.

"We're trying to grow the class in Australia. They're a lot of fun to sail. They're skiff-like and the racing at other events has been terrific. The boat is user-friendly, the loads aren't too much. We need more female boat owners. It's possible and manageable and the J70 is a good class," said the Sydney sailor who has been a staple at the event for the last few years.

Jones is hoping there will be enough J70s to form a separate division for them, while Gojnich says, "We're looking forward to good competition."

Apart from the competition, there is a feel-good solidarity attached to the AWKR. Apart from dinner being available at the Club the night before the event and the prize-giving dinner, what binds the women further is the free sausage sizzle and drinks after racing each day at RMYS's Boat Buoy BBQ.

And while trophies are awarded to the various winners, there are also prizes for: Novice Helm; Most Improved Over the Series; Sportsmanship; Rohan Brownlee Leadership and Endeavour Award and Best Performed Owner/Skipper.

If you are looking for crew or would like to crew, please go to: www.awkr.com.au/crew-noticeboard or email: or phone (03) 9534-0227.

There is a place for everyone from novices up to professionals at the AWKR, so don't wait, enter online now, where you can also view the Notice of Race: www.awkr.com.au.

Related Articles

Germany Deutsche Bank claim first SailGP event win
Race Day 2 of the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix The Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank has entered the winners circle, claiming their first event victory at the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in tricky, light conditions on the waters of Lake Geneva. Posted today at 4:03 pm
SailGP: Germany score first Event win - Day 2
The German crew led by Erik Heil sailed consistently, on a day where inconsistency was punished. Perhaps it was not surprising that in a nation known for its horology, that the time-clock should have played such a dominant role for the Final day of SailGP Switzerland. Posted today at 3:07 pm
2025 Dutch Water Week day 4
At the end of the city's main shopping street, spectators could watch the racing The penultimate day of the Dutch Water Week brought Olympic-class sailing and windsurfing right into the heart of Almere. Posted today at 11:13 am
America's Cup: Controversial agreement signed
According to Italian media, the secret AC Partnership agreement has been signed by CoR/D* International sailing journalist, Fabio Pozo, writing for the Milan based newspaper La Stampa, reports that the secret America's Cup Partnership (ACP) agreement is expected to be signed next week. Posted today at 10:46 am
Women's Match Racing Worlds in Chicago overall
History made: Match in Pink Team wins fifth consecutive title Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team from Le Havre in France have once again proven their dominance in the sport of match racing, capturing their fifth consecutive World Sailing Women's Match Racing World Championship title Posted today at 9:22 am
Race to the Finish with Paprec Arkéa
Zhik is the official gear partner for The Ocean Race Europe The Ocean Race Europe has again proven why it is one of the most demanding tests in sailing. With Zhik as the official gear partner, the Paprec Arkéa crew faced the extremes of Europe's waters equipped for the challenge. Posted today at 8:00 am
J/105 North American Championship overall
Randy's Hecht's Niuhi three-peats as champion In the finale of the J/105 North American Championship, Randy Hecht claimed victory for the third time, with crew Russ Silvestri, Ethan Doyle, Maggie Bacon, David Janinis and Stephen Marsh. Posted today at 3:26 am
New trophy for 2025 Six Metre Worlds
Presented by HM King Juan Carlos of Spain The Opening Ceremony for the 2025 International Six Metre Open and Classic World Championships saw the 29 participating teams from nine nations gather on the waterside lawn of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club. Posted today at 3:08 am
David Porter, King of Sydney Harbour in the 1970s
During one of the greatest eras in the 134-year history of the 18ft Skiff class During a 10-year career in the 18s from 1970-71 to 1979-80, inclusive, Dave Porter won the 1975 World Championship, three Australian and five NSW (State) championships as well as numerous club championships. Posted today at 12:51 am
SailGP: Australia on top in Geneva- Day 1
The Flying Roos (AUS) top of the leaderboard, after the first day of racing in SailGP Switzerland. The Flying Roos sit on top of the leaderboard, after the first day of racing in SailGP Switzerland. This was the first test of the new light air foils, and three races were sailed, all completed within the time limits. Posted today at 12:35 am
Sea Sure 2025Henri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast