Please select your home edition
Edition
Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca 2025

Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta - Day 1: Tasmanian sailors turn up the heat

by Di Pearson / AWKR media 10 Jun 2023 02:21 PDT 9-12 June 2023
Spinnaker run with dramatic Melbourne city backdrop - Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta © Andrea Francolini / AWKR

Tasmanian sailors Jo Breen and Orla Gray turned up the heat on the opening day of the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron's (RMYS) 31st Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta (AWKR) with three windward/leeward races sailed on Port Phillip today.

Both teams are representing the Derwent Sailing Squadron in Sandy Bay and while Breen, a notable sailor, has been here before and won division, this is a first time for Gray and her young crew.

Gray skippered the appropriately named S80, Hot Shot, to wins in Races 1 and 2, in the S80 division and in open Division 2. Race 3's results are pending the outcome of protests in all divisions.

"We came to Melbourne early and practiced on Thursday and Friday because none of us have ever sailed an S80 or at this regatta before. In fact, I had never seen an S80 before we came here. We mostly sail on a Farr 40 in Hobart," Gray said.

"We are stoked to have done so well. It was completely unexpected, especially because we've heard about the reputation of this regatta. I love the S80 because you can match race your opponents and you know where you are at in a one-design division," Gray said.

"Onshore is awesome too. You get off the boat, you have the BBQ back at the Club while you debrief and the camaraderie is great," added Gray who competed at the Tasmanian Women's keelboat regatta and were told the AWKR was the next step.

Gray knows they cannot rest on their laurels though. Their wins could change Hot Shot's handicap and she is only holding a one point lead over the Sophie Davidson skippered 24, Vice Versa from South Australia and is two and a half points ahead of the S80 Revolution (Sarah Clough).

In the S80 division, Hot Shot leads Revolution by three points and Jenny Simondson's Outlaw from Darwin.

Meanwhile, Breen skippered Spartan, a borrowed Beneteau 34.7, to two wins in Division 1.

"It was a fantastic day. Really tight racing with Tracy Richardson on the Adams 10 (2Extreme) and with Claire (Olding) on Vertigo (Olding's father's Summit 35 from Victoria which she races on and steers regularly)," Breen said.

"We're using Spartan which we also had last year, so happy it was loaned to us again and to have another crack. We've got a team of eight, of which six are the same as the crew who came here with me last year.

"The best thing for us is bringing us all together, including some people I race in Hobart. I know a few people here now, it's got great camaraderie, it's a great regatta," says Breen who is in the process of actively looking around to buy an offshore boat for the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Double Handed Race. She finished second in the last one in 2018.

Breen said of the potential competition for the trophies, "Tracy (2Xtreme) and Clare (Vertigo) are the main people for me to watch here. Tracy sailed really well last year and won from Clare on countback."

Of Race 2, where there are numerous protests that will affect the outcome of Race 3, Breen explained, "A mark was changed during the course. Although we were told about it, it confused some entrants as to which mark to round."

Among those who rounded the incorrect mark are some of the usual frontrunners, Richardson among them.

Competing yachts are representing Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, NSW and the Northern Territory.

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

Full results available here.

Related Articles

Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Preview
Getting ready to race at Monte Real Club de Yates in Baiona Today (Friday) Galicia's prestigious Monte Real Club de Yates in Baiona (Galicia, Spain) hosted the official presentation of the GALICIA 52 SUPER SERIES ROYAL CUP, the second scoring event for the 2025 season of the 52 SUPER SERIES. Posted on 30 May
Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta day 3
No racing due to light wind in Porto Cervo The forecast of very light winds proved to be accurate today as the starting procedure for the third day of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta and the Southern Wind RendezVous got under way. Posted on 30 May
1D35 "Relentless" to Race 2025 LBRW with new owner
First-time owner Derek Williamson eager to join the fleet for premier event As Derek Williamson prepares to race in his first regatta - Long Beach Race Week (LBRW) - where he'll be helming his own boat, Williamson acknowledges that he's new to the game and has a lot to learn. Posted on 30 May
Armstrong Foils: On tour - Home of Armstrong II
Join America's Cup champion, Blair Tuke and Armstrong team riders on the tour of NZ's Far North Join three times America's Cup champion, Blair Tuke and Armstrong team riders Olivia Jenkins, Naumi Eychenne, Bowien van der Linden, Cash Berzolla, and Reo Stevens, on the Home of Armstrong Tour II, as they explore NZ's Far North. Posted on 30 May
Tom Gruitt passes away
Sailing photographer, writer, video editor, but most of all, a friend to many Tom Gruitt, photographer, writer, video editor, but most of all, a friend to many, has passed away at the far too young age of 37. Posted on 30 May
Rooster - Supporting Women in Sailing
Here to amplify women's voices, create better gear, and help shape a more inclusive future At Rooster, we're proud to be part of a movement that's putting women at the forefront of sailing - not just on race day, but every day. Posted on 30 May
5.5 Metre German Open in Warnemunde day 1
Race wins go Beta Crucis and New Moon III New Moon III (BAH 25, Christoph Burger, Kim Chabani, Peter Vlasov) is the early leader after two races in great conditions at the 2025 5.5 Metre German Open in Warnemunde. Posted on 30 May
Casa Vela Cup 2025 at St Francis Yacht Club Day 2
Another flawless day for top-ranked French skipper Pauline Courtois and her team Another thrilling day of racing with top-ranked French skipper Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink Normandy Elite Team continuing their unbeaten streak with fifteen straight wins in the qualifying round robin stage, asserting a dominant lead. Posted on 30 May
XR41 shines at Fyn Rundt with 1st and 2nd in class
Formula X and Xbox dominate prestigious Danish regatta under new conditions In a weekend of challenging conditions and fierce competition,the high-performance racer secured 1st and 2nd in its class, and 4th and 5th overall out of 220 boats at the prestigious Fyn Cup, a 145-nautical-mile regatta around Denmark's island of Funen. Posted on 30 May
Team Racing Worlds at Newport, RI, Day 1
Tricky conditions & challenging 2v2 format tests Team Racing fleet Gray skies, intermittent rain and shifty light winds were not enough to dampen the energy and enthusiasm on Narragansett Bay for Day 1 of the Team Racing World Championship under way at Harbour Court. Posted on 30 May
MySail 2025Vaikobi 2024 DecemberSea Sure 2025