Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta Day 2 - One race and changes on the board
by Di Pearson / AWKR media 7 Jun 00:34 PDT
5-8 June 2026
One race and changes on the board
A beautiful winter day in Melbourne for Day 2 at the 34th Australian Keelboat Regatta (AWKR), but once again, the wind gods were laughing out loud and made the fleet wait until 12.15pm before a weak northerly saw fit to filter onto Port Phillip - and in the vicinity of Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, organiser of the regatta.
Patient crews and patient race officer, Laura Hughson saw it through and was able to get just one race in again, but competitors found various ways to amuse and entertain themselves while waiting on a flat and lifeless Port Phillip.
"I travelled 800 kilometres to have my backside kicked by the wind," Hughson said ashore this afternoon. However, her sense of humour is still intact.
Sarah Clough, daughter of event founder, Gai Clough, has steered Crusader, a Beneteau First 30jk (Vic) to the lead of Division 1. Crusader won today's light race, after scoring second place in Race 1 yesterday.
"We had a fantastic day," a pleased Clough said. "And it was beautiful out there. We like the light weather - but you had to pay attention it was tricky," said Clough who has good friend Kate Middleton sailing with her again.
"We've known each other since we were 11. We started sailing together in Cadets here (RMYS) and then in keelboats.
"Sarah and I have done at least 10 AWKR's together," said Middleton, who does mainsheet.
Clough responded: "She's got attitude, so she's good for that job, adding "We're loving the regatta, absolutely loving it."
Middleton: "It's great so see such a good number of boats here and a great fleet. And ashore, they're very generous with the barbecue and drinks."
Clough: "It's great fun ashore after racing. We've nominated Jody and Katrina to do the spinnaker competition for Crusader tonight."
Middleton: "Katrina's packed the kite for the last two days, so she should be good to go. They've been nominated without their consent," she said laughing.
Clough: "We've met up with old friends here too, which is great."
For tomorrow's final day, Clough said, "We'd like more light air race for tomorrow, because that could mean another good result. Just one more race..."
Event co-chair, Monica Jones has moved up the board into second place in Division 1 with her Adams 10,Salamanda III, courtesy of second place in Race 2. Leading the series into today's race, Ciara Earley's Jacobina drops to third after Earley sailed her Jutson 950 to 10th in Race 2.
However, there are three other yachts on equal 11 points with Jacobina. Spartan, the Wendy Tuck skippered Beneteau 34.7 (NSW), Robyn Ragauskas' Bull 9000, Bullet and Katie Holroyd's Adams 10, Serious Yahoo, are breathing down Jacobina's neck. Tomorrow, with the breeze looking light again, will decide the outcome.
Holly Farmer's New Zealand crewed S80, Revolution, continues to lead Division 2 after adding a fifth to yesterday's win. Third place today has lifted the Butcher Smith skippered Bluebird, Blue Volvo (Vic), into second place overall.
Janet Thornley (SA) won Race 2 with the S80, Espresso, lifting her crew to third place overall. Janette Syme's J24, Jet (Qld), is in fourth place, but on equal 11 points with Espresso.
Revolution also leads the S80 division. In second place is Fiona McManus' Mood Indigo from Darwin, with Espresso filling out third place. Emma Arnold's Rebel Just For Kicks is in fourth, on equal points with Espresso.
"It was tricky, you really had to look to where the breeze was and try not to fall into any wind holes, tack at the right times. The second leg was our better one - we caught some and passed others under spinnaker. Brenda Cassidy did very well on the spinnaker,"
Top strength was 6 knots, but averaged around 4 knots. I wouldn't be the race officer for anything," she said to Hughson this afternoon, knowing how difficult a job she had.
"Definitely good to win on a S80 - I've never sailed one before. Yesterday we couldn't work out how to lift the motor out of the water yesterday, so we had the drag factor. And we couldn't get the right shape out of the jib yesterday, it was so stretched, so we changed it for one the boat's training jib. All fixed today - and a win!
"Tomorrow I'd love two races - so we can drop our first race (they were 10th yesterday)," Thornley said laughing.
Misfortune struck one boat. A broken rudder for Lancoorie, skippered by Sue Burke. It meant retiring and no points on the board for the Hobsons Bay Yacht Club crew.
The Boat Buoys were called and lead, Alex Stroud, had team members spring into action. One helped set up the emergency steering while others went to help guide the Defiance 30 into the Club's marina.
The Boat Buoys are the anomaly at the AWKR. They are a respected and dedicated team of male volunteers who support the regatta who do play roles with good grace and enjoy it.
Stroud, a 10-year member of RMYS, is in his second year of leading the team of 18. The organised 35-year-old explained their duties: "We do all the shore based activities that includes organising the daily afternoon barbecues, the boat yard party (which will take place late this afternoon) and assisting with Club information on Port Phillp."
On the water, they assist with getting the boats out and back into the marina, look after on-water assistance (such as the Lancoorie), organise any sail repairs with Doyle Sails (courtesy of Blake Anderson),
The Boat Buoys also look after preventative vessel maintenance. That involves dealing with engine issues, boats tips and tricks for leaving and returning to the marina and ensuring safe arrival on land from the marina.
Some of the Boat Buoys are regulars, such as Peter Yoon who has done seven or eight now.
Stroud is a good choice to lead the team. A sailor since age 12, he is a member of RMYS and his hobby is buying and selling trailable boats, which he also sails and encourages females to sail them. His nickname is 'Alex Everywhere', given to him, Stroud says, "by a female sailor who started seeing me sailing everywhere in trailable boats.
"It's an honour, a privilege and a pleasure to be a Boat Buoy and to lead the team. It's good to be able to support the women at the Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta. I absolutely love doing this - I even miss family and friends weddings to do this," Stroud ends.
Another new welcome touch has been added to the regatta this year - a masseuse comes in daily after sailing and his services are well utilised.
On a final note, RMYS is celebrating its 150 anniversary this year and celebrations will be held throughout November, says RMYS Rear Commodore, Cathy Mahony.
Tonight's fun-filled entertainment includes the Boat Buoys Barby, followed by the frenetic and fun Doyle kite packing competition and a Jimmy Rum tasting that is sure to prepare the women for the argy-bargy of that event and the Karaoke straight after!
Thirty-six crews from Australia wide and New Zealand are taking part in the 2026 Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta. Tomorrow is the final day of racing. Crews are praying to the wind gods to allow them at least one race.
Full results and all information on the AWKR: awkr.com.au