Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

NSW Government renews funding for iconic Port Stephens regatta

by Mark Rothfield 21 Jun 2023 06:34 UTC

The NSW Government is extending its long-standing commitment to Sail Port Stephens, Australia's second largest sailing regatta, with funding allocated for 2024 and further renewal options secured for 2025 and 2026.

The announcement comes in the wake of the most successful regatta in the event's 16-year history, which injected an estimated $2million into the region's visitor economy.

It is a significant stimulus for continued expansion as past investment from Destination NSW - the NSW Government's Major Events and Tourism agency - has been critical in enabling Sail Port Stephens to exponentially grow from a small regional event contested by fewer than 30 yachts to the largest in NSW in terms of entry numbers.

This year, 220 sailcraft of all shapes and sizes participated during the three-stage regatta, while a further 160+ entries were attracted to satellite championships held during summer, placing Sail Port Stephens just adrift of Geelong's Festival of Sails that has been running since 1844.

"Destination NSW came aboard as an event partner just a few years after Sail Port Stephens began, providing the foundation to attract further support from Port Stephens Council and commercial sponsors who are equally committed to the event's success," regatta director and co-founder, Paul O'Rourke, says.

"Such is the ever-increasing demand from sailing competitors today that we eventually outgrew our original week-long regatta format and this year extended the timeframe to make better use of the finite number of marina berths and moorings.

"That change has been a huge boost for the event, encouraging fresh participation, and also for the tourism sector during what's traditionally a quiet period at Port Stephens. We really want to continue that trajectory as well."

Looking ahead, Sail Port Stephens organisers are aiming to further refine the format and implement new community-engagement aspects. In particular, the inshore Bay Series has strong growth potential, having rapidly gained popularity among off-the-beach and trailerable sailing classes.

"With Destination NSW's support, we're setting our sights on becoming the biggest and best regatta in Australia," Paul O'Rourke adds. "Funding is imperative as our new format requires significantly more onshore and offshore resources to continue providing quality race management and the first-class après social program.

"Fortunately, the Government sees the benefits that sport tourism events bring to regional areas, not just in direct financial boosts but also increased awareness and sustainable participation rates. We're extremely grateful and will be working hard to further leverage the support."

The Sail Port Stephens passage-racing series, which takes in the beautiful inshore and offshore islands surrounding Port Stephens, has long been a strong drawcard, while the combined NSW Yachting Championships and TP52 Gold Cup regatta is now a stand-alone event that will become further embedded on the national calendar.

The off-the-beach Bay Series began in 2019 with just 13 entries and this year featured over 90 boats from the J70 class, Lasers, Finns, RS Aeros, OK dinghies, Australian Sports Boats, Windsurfers and International Canoe.

Event dates for 2024 are 15-20 April for the Passage Series, 26-28 April for the Windward-Leeward Series and 3-5 May for the Bay Series. See www.sailportstephens.com.au.

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

Impressive results for the Performance Academy
At the 2025 ILCA 4 Youth Europeans in Poland Nine British sailors spent two weeks in Puck, Poland with the Performance Academy and ILCA UK for the ILCA 4 Youth European Championships, supported by Head Coach Charlie Linsell and Manager James Parker-Mowbray. Posted today at 9:10 am
Strale wins the XII Monaco Principality Trophy
Calm seas and a light breeze from the South-East in Venice Strale (1967) by Antonio Bandini of the Circolo Velico Ravennate wins the Overall of the XII Principality of Monaco Trophy. Posted today at 9:03 am
Young Sailors Invited to the 2025 Fireball Worlds
A special discounted entry fee for eligible youth participants for the event at Lake Garda Circolo Vela Arco and Fireball International are inviting young sailors from around the world to take part in the 2025 Fireball World Championship at spectacular Lake Garda, with a special discounted entry fee for eligible youth participants. Posted today at 8:02 am
Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina. Posted today at 5:39 am
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D1
Sunday's storm winds cleared to deliver ideal conditions for the opening race day Sunday's storm winds cleared to deliver ideal conditions for the opening race day of the 2025 GKSS Match Cup Sweden and Nordea Women's Trophy, official championship stages of the World Match Racing Tour and Women's World Match Racing Tour. Posted today at 4:33 am
2025 EurILCA Master FRA at Carnac
A total of 63 Master sailors took part The 2025 EurILCA Master FRA concluded on Sunday in Carnac, France, after three days of competition, with all six scheduled races successfully completed. A total of 63 Master sailors took part in the event, which was organized by the Yacht Club de Carnac. Posted today at 4:14 am
World Sailing announces split venues for LA28
The boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port World Sailing has said it welcomes the confirmation of sailing venues for the Olympic Games LA28 the boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port. Posted on 30 Jun
NYYC International Women's Championship update
The first group of invited skippers have been announced Elite-level international women's keelboat competition will return to Newport, R.I., in late summer of 2026 when the New York Yacht Club hosts the inaugural International Women's Championship. Posted on 30 Jun
Luna shines bright in 2025 Morgan Cup Race
This was a truly international fleet with the majority of the teams from the UK and France The start of the Morgan Cup Race was a spectacular sight with over 100 boats beating to windward into the Western Solent for the fourth race of the Cowes Offshore Racing Series and the 11th race of the 2025 RORC Season's Points Championship. Posted on 30 Jun
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 Preview
International sailing & ocean conservation unite in Cascais From July 4 to 6, Cascais hosts the biggest sailing regatta of the year with a strong focus on sustainability. The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy celebrates six years of diversity, competition, and environmental commitment. Posted on 30 Jun
Allen Dynamic 40 FooterExposure MarineBarton Marine Pipe Glands