Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

Sail Port Stephens 2025 Passage Series - Day 1

by Mark Rothfield 31 Mar 18:21 PDT 31 March - 5 April 2025
Sail Port Stephens Passage Series 2025 © Mark Rothfield

Wet we got, wind not so much, as Race 1 of the Commodores Cup Passage series kicked off Sail Port Stephens for its 17th year, with the five divisions enjoying an action-packed race instead of retiring to the local cafes and pubs.

The call to sail was greeted with cheers, and the Pub-to-Pub course took the fleet on a run to Shoal Bay, then westwards on a long beat to Salamander Bay, around Middle Island off Soldiers Point and back to the finish.

Fortune favoured those who drew spinnakers, however there were round-ups aplenty as the wind averaged 15 knots but gusted to 30 as rain squalls came through. Any cobwebs were soon washed away.

The Ker 40 Mk3 Condor showed its black stern to the entire fleet, clearing out to win line-honours in 1hr39m, six minutes ahead of the well-sailed Mylius 50 Daguet. Gerry Hatton's Mat 1220 Bushranger was third across in 1hr48m.

With the Commodores Cup judged on PHS, the Beneteau First 47.7 Popeye took first place after enjoying the working and power reaching conditions. Second was the Beneteau First 50 51st Project, a local yacht owned by Julian Bell.

In Division 2, the evergreen Farr 44 Sea Hawk used its long waterline to advantage, winning on PHS and taking the line just six seconds ahead of Organised Chaos, a Nelson Marek 1D35. Minor placings went to Andiamo, the beautiful Grand Soleil 40, and Schouten Passage.

Beneteau also took the honours in Division 3 and 4, with the Sense 50 La Troisieme Mi-Temps eclipsing the Jeanneau Sunfast 320 Ataraxia and Hanse 400 Kookaburra, and Oceanis 37 Scuffy triumphing in the Div 4 category over Ca Va (Sun Odyssey 440) and Escape (Oceanis 41.1).

Five non-spinnaker entries hit the line, with In the Mood failing to finish and three others sitting the day out. Elysium, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 was the overall winner from Namadgi 3 and Antipodes.

One sailor suffered broken ribs in an onboard incident but otherwise it was plain sailing.

More showers are predicted for Race 2 but a mid-strength southerly will provide good conditions on the inshore course, predominantly sailing triangles in Salamander Bay.

Sail Port Stephens is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism agency Destination NSW, Port Stephens Council, Pantaenius Australia and subsidiary sponsors.

For more information visit event website.

Related Articles

Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais - Practice Day
Will Platoon Aviation's big breeze, big pressure experience prove key to their fourth world title? Of the three past and present world championship winning crews which completed their final practice today in typically muscular 25 knot breezes and big waves out of Cascais, Portugal it was Harm Müller-Spreer's Platoon Aviation which showed best today. Posted today at 7:03 pm
Some thoughts on provisioning for distance sailing
A new perspective on provisioning and time spent at sea One of the great joys of distance racing unfurls the moment that the dock lines are untied. Suddenly, the myriad packing lists that inevitably define most trip-planning efforts become about as relevant as a tax return from eight years ago. Posted today at 5:00 pm
Bill Guilfoyle on the 2025 Transpacific Yacht Race
Bill Guilfoyle discusses the 2025 Transpacific Yacht Race When it comes to offshore sailing in the United States, the biennial Transpacific Yacht Race reigns supreme for its distance and promise of off-the-breeze sailing angles. Posted today at 3:00 pm
Freestyle Pro Tour Paros day 3
The return of Super X Day 3 at the FPT Paros 2025 was a slower one - with a lay day with no wind anticipated and a late skippers meeting at 13:00 to assess the conditions, there wasn't much initially filling up the schedule. Posted today at 3:00 pm
McIntyre Mini Globe Leg 2 update
The Mad Bastard may be right! When the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race set off—the first solo, non-stop circumnavigation—many thought it impossible. But one sailor proved them wrong: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, sailing his beloved Suhaili! Posted today at 1:06 pm
Packing for a Summer Sailing Weekend
Just because it's summer doesn't mean you're going to stay warm and dry all the time Just because it's summer doesn't mean you're going to stay warm and dry all the time, particularly when you're out on the water. The day may start windless, with a little dew on the ground, but a sea breeze can pick up in the afternoon. Posted today at 11:00 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
Freestyle Pro Tour Paros day 2
The strong Meltemi blowing all throughout the night, greeted the riders in the morning Day 2 at the Freestyle Pro Tour Paros once again delivered, with the strong Meltemi blowing all throughout the night, greeting the riders at around 30 knots in the morning. Posted on 30 Jun
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_cruise BOTTOMPalm Beach Motor YachtsSea Sure 2025