Manly Yacht Club’s Helly Hansen Women’s Challenge on Sunday March 27 had it all, from rain squalls to light winds, spinnaker troubles and of course – a lot of fun.
The Challenge was the last instalment of the second edition of 2021/22 Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series. It was co-hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC), Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS), Manly Yacht Club (MYC) and first-time hosts Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club (RPEYC).
Apart from a downpour before the start, and a smattering of rain during the race, the event ran smoothly.
Sixteen boats across two divisions assembled on the start line off Forty Baskets Beach, Manly Cove, in light to moderate south-easterly winds. The course took the fleet on several laps in the vicinity of North Sydney Harbour. The wind increased during the final stretch of the race, as the yachts reached across the heads from Lady Bay to the finish line at Forty Baskets Beach.
Rachel William’s MC38 Law Connect (CYCA) was in a league of its own, winning the day on scratch in Division 1. Liz Charles’ Azuree 46 Kayimai (MHYC) won the series on scratch in Division 1.
The Adams 10 Artemis (Tracy Richardson) added another win to its result sheet, on PHS in Division 1. The all-female team from MHYC are the series’ overall winners on PHS in Division 1. Karyn Gojnich and the RSYS team aboard the J/70 The Jackal won on both scratch and PHS in Division 2 for the day. Catherine Thornton-Rofe’s J/24 Kaotic (MYC) won on both PHS and scratch in Division 2 for the overall series.
Afterwards, sailors celebrated another successful series at MYC.
We look forward to seeing the Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series fleet continue to grow in strength and numbers for the 2022/23 season.
For results, see: https://app.sailsys.com.au/club/27/results/series/1227/races
By Greta Quealy
