More join party for Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta
by Di Pearson / AWKR media 14 May 15:25 AEST
6-9 June 2025
Vertigo, Clockwork, No Mans Land in 2024 during the Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta © Andrea Francolini / AWKR
Eighteen entries representing Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia, NSW and Victoria have so far been received for the 2025 Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta (AWKR), Australia's premier all-women sailing regatta, to be staged on Port Phillip over the King's Birthday weekend from 6-9 June.
"We're pleased with the entries received to-date and there are more on the way," promises Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron's (RMYS) event Chairwoman, Monica Jones, who is confident up to 40 boats will take part in the country's oldest and premier women's keelboat regatta.
Two entries have been received from the Northern Territory. Fiona McManus and her crew will again sail the S80, Mood Indigo, kindly loaned by Melburnian Keith Chatto.
"I've been doing the regatta for around 11 years now, " McManus says. "I just love it. It's such a great experience to be competing nationally in a bigger boat. I love the S80 and the one-design sailing. It's such a great opportunity for us in the Northern Territory. The fellows in Melbourne are generous to loan us their boat.
McManus says, "It's exciting have two entries coming down. Outlaw is going to be co-skippered by Jo Barrkman and Tash Bramble. They've both sailed with me before, but this is the first time skippering at the regatta for both.
"There is great enthusiasm at the regatta and we'll be there a couple of days beforehand for a bit of a shakedown. We're really looking forward to it again."
Both crews are representing Darwin Sailing Club, so good in-house competition is expected between them and the other S80s.
Claire Heenan is returning from NSW to sail Jungle Juice, the Adams 10 she won Division 1 with last year, kindly loaned to her again by Janet Dean, a past RMYS Commodore.
Victoria is, of course, well represented, including some new skippers. Wendy Ludwick will be at the helm of the Cavalier 350 Siren, while Ciara Earley will helm Jacobina, the Jutson 950 she owns with her husband, John Rea.
"I've been doing the Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta for years. I did my first in 2007 and I did it on Jacobina last year, but Sabina Rosser was helming. This is my first year helming the boat," said Earley, who sometimes steers it in club races.
"The regatta is a lot of fun. It's a good opportunity to sail with a bunch of women who are friends and it's quite competitive as well," Earley finishes.
Apart from competitive sailing, the AWKR is renowned for its social side. Breakfast is available on site every race day. And post sailing is a free sausage sizzle with a drink.
The Briefing Night, which kicks off proceedings, also doubles as a perfect opportunity for networking and building connections within the sailing community before the racing starts.
Saturday 7 June is the official crew dinner at RMYS and bookings are essential. Sunday is the Boat Buoy Yard Party and guarantees music, fun, a sausage sizzle and drinks. Monday is farewell, with the Presentation and a celebration of the regatta.
Jones is the event, is also excited to announce, "Two new sponsors have signed up for our event; Yacht Racing Services Association (YRSA) in Victoria, a body that provides yacht rating services and joining them is Quest St Kilda Bayside Hotel.
"In welcoming the new sponsors, who join a throng of returning sponsors, Jones thanked all for their generosity "in supporting our fantastic event: Rothwell Lawyers; Melbourne Debt Collectors; Polished Brands; Boating Central; Wine By Sam; Doyle Sails; Bruise-eze and Jimmy Rum."
The AWKR is open to all women, from professionals to novices. Age is no barrier either and organisers at RMYS are looking forward to welcoming all participants to the 33rd AWKR.
A regular competitor herself, Jones said, "We're expecting up to 40 boats and 300 competitors this year. Apart from the usual fleet racing, ideally we will have S80, J24, Adams 10 and Trailable divisions, depending on numbers.
"For those who can, we would love for people to bring their own boats too," comments Jones, who says loan boats will again be available to those who are unable to bring their own.
"It's a unique feature of our regatta and we thank all those boat owners who help in this regard. We also thank the volunteer Boat Buoys who help out with repairs every year."
On the racing side, Jones says, "It will be as competitive as ever and we are working hard to make sure the social aspect is a memorable one for everyone again too."
The camaraderie is a standout at the AWKR, only second to the racing. It is among the reasons many make an effort to come back.
Dinner is available at RMYS the evening before racing starts and there is a crew dinner on Saturday night. The prize-giving will be held on Monday afternoon. A free sausage sizzle and drinks held post racing each day at the Club's 'Boat Buoys BBQ', is a perfect time for old and new friends to catch up and to discuss the day's racing.
There is a Crew Dinner on Saturday 7 June, but online bookings at the official site are essential, as numbers are limited. Sunday is the Boat Buoy Yard Party and Monday evening is the Presentation before the regatta wraps up for another year.
Trophies are awarded to the various winners, with 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: awkr@rmys.com.au 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 at: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1355039
List of entries: www.topyacht.com.au/db/kb2/1858
Notice of Race and all other information: www.awkr.com.au.