Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Sail Port Stephens Bay Series - Day 2

by Sail Port Stephens media team 20 May 2023 11:51 PDT
J70 start - Sail Port Stephens Bay Series, Day 2 © Promocean Media

Off-the-beach sailing was the winner today as more than 90 boats, comprising sports boats, J70s, International Canoes, RS Aeros, Finns, OK dinghies, Windsurfers and a smorgasbord of other classes, competed on three race tracks in Day 2 of the Sail Port Stephens Bay Series.

Hosted by Bay Sailing Centre, and under the gaze of local spectators relaxing on deck chairs provided by Port Stephens, the sailors were treated to a magical westerly breeze gusting to 15 knots.

Intent on not wasting the champagne conditions, with considerably stronger winds predicted for tomorrow, the race management teams achieved four races for the off-the-beach classes and five for the Windsurfers.

There were some tired bodies feasting on free pizza and enjoying the apres-sailing hospitality of event sponsor Bannisters Port Stephens. That said, a number of competitors have participated in all three regattas under the Sail Port Stephens format, amounting to 10 days of racing with one still to play.

Among them are Julian Bell and his 14-year-old son Arthur, who own the Farr 51 51st Project that sailed the Passage Series and Windward-Leeward - they're now crewing aboard sports boats.

"I get so excited leading up to Sail Port Stephens, it's my favourite time of the year and I'm already so keen for next year," Arthur says.

The Australian Sports Boat Association and J70 fleets resumed their racing after completing three windward-leewards on the Friday. The newly launched Don't Panic, helmed by Nicky Bethwaite and designed and built by 49er designer Julian Bethwaite as a Covid-lockdown project, scored two firsts and a 4th to lead the way from Malcolm Dean's ever-consistent Shaw 650 Black Betty.

Steven Proud's Swish was the overnight leader after also posting two wins along with a 2nd placing. Also consistent was Joust70, helmed by Rod Warren.

Those results remained the same after a further three races today, Don't Panic winning all three on line and handicap honours to step further clear of Black Betty, Brett Davis's The Cube moving into third.

Joust70 reeled in some points with two first placings and a third, while Karyn Gojnich steered Jabiru into third overall.

Leading lights in the Windsurfer class, with 26 starters, are Mitch Cooper, Greg Kay and Josh Green, with skiff legend Andrew 'Dolly' Divola holding down fourth place.

Matt Visser showed exceptional consistency in the Finns, posting three 2nd placings and a first, rival Rob McMillan taking the first three heats then being deemed OCS in the last race of the day. Grant Wakefield leads the OK class, and Gary Ratcliffe the RS Aeros.

The presentation evening was packed as regatta organisers gave away four $500 accommodation vouchers as lucky door prizes, along with the daily prizes. The event wraps up tomorrow with racing scheduled to start at 11am, conditions allowing.

Event website: www.sailportstephens.com.au/bay-series

Related Articles

Marine Auctions: Two Online Auctions in July
Also Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region Marine Auctions are proud to announce that Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region in South Australia. Jacob is a local Commerical Fisherman. Posted today at 2:43 am
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta 2025 Preview
The fourth stop of the five series Sailing Grand Slam circuit Over 200 elite athletes from 42 nations have converged on Long Beach to test their skills on the same waters that will host sailing events during the LA2028 Olympic Games as they compete in the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta July 12-20 Posted today at 12:11 am
Best Buddies from Germany win the AEGEAN 600 2025
The second wave of finishers benefit from last night's steadier breezes Behind the first wave of finishers yesterday morning, yesterday and last night's steadier breezes helped sweep in another wave of Monohull and Multihull finishers to the race finish at Cape Sounion. Posted on 11 Jul
Conversation with Ben Willows: CEO RS Marine Group
Some people's passion for sailing runs so deep, it feels like it's woven into their DNA There are some people whose passion for sailing runs so deep, it feels like it's woven into their DNA. Ben Willows is one of those people. Posted on 11 Jul
101st Bayview Mackinac Race starts on Saturday
A massive fleet of 183 monohulls and 9 multihulls will set off to race entire length of Lake Huron It is one day to go, and the fleet is assembled in Port Huron before the start of the 101st Bayview Mackinac Race, organized by the Bayview Yacht Club and presented by National Fleet Services. Posted on 11 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 4
Balanger dominates qualifying, storm cuts Gold fleet racing short Day four of the 2025 Moth World Championship opened at dawn with another early start for the 137 athletes from 25 nations competing on Lake Garda. Posted on 11 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds in Aarhus overall
Thrilling Medal Series closes out a spectacular week of high-stakes foiling in Denmark The 2025 iQFOiL World Championship wrapped up in Aarhus with a spectacular Medal Series showdown that saw Emma Wilson (GBR 7) and Andy Brown (GBR 360) rise to the top and secure World Championship titles. Posted on 11 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC Three preview
This has produced the overall winner of two of the last six editions IRC Three may consist of smaller, slower and in some cases older boats than those that will garner headlines in the first couple of days of the Rolex Fastnet Race. Posted on 11 Jul
Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship preview
This year's regatta will be the largest of its kind ever hosted in Tallinn Tallinna Yacht Club brings one of the biggest sports events of the summer to Haven Kakumäe - 300 young sailors expected at the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship, plus just as many supporters on shore! Posted on 11 Jul
18th Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona day 1
Opening victories and nautical splendor This week, Barcelona once again takes center stage in the world of classic sailing as the 18th edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica gets under way. The opening day delivered ideal conditions for a spectacular display on the water. Posted on 11 Jul
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_SY BOTTOMMaritimo S SeriesV-DRY-X