The sailing paradise that is Port Stephens may be somewhat bleak and blustery for the opening day of the 2025 Commodores Cup Passage Series on Monday, March 31, so much so that organisers are busy hatching Plan B and possibly C for the racing and social schedules.
The BOM’s current marine forecast is for strong to gale-force southerly winds, generating hazardous sea conditions, around a low pressure system that’s moving offshore into the Tasman. Already it has prompted the cancellation of tomorrow’s Newcastle to Port Stephens race, a feeder event for Sail Port Stephens, to allow competitors an earlier and easier passage.
Other weather models suggest the breeze could persist through Monday and all agree that showers are likely. Forecasters have been known to get it wrong though, so a decision will be made by race officer Denis Thompson before the 9am Monday briefing.
On a positive note, Thompson has numerous inshore passage courses available to him, and the fleet of 108 yachts can utilise the Thursday lay day for racing if required. Also, the famed social calendar won’t be dampened – maybe just be shuffled to allow for improving conditions.
Monday is due to have an official Welcome Party on the Bay Sailing Centre beach, with a free ferry or bus ride on offer. This will be reviewed as the weather picture becomes clearer.
“One thing for sure is that the skippers and crews won’t go empty handed – we’ll have a Peter Drayton’s wine, a Bacardi rum or a Hahn beer in their grasp on Monday and throughout the week,” regatta director Paul O’Rourke said.
“The Sail Port Stephens Street Party on Wednesday night looks like being fantastic too, and our Presentation Evening next Saturday will have Sons of Beaches, a longtime crowd favourite at the Commodores Cup week.”
Four divisions and a non-spinnaker fleet are lined up to sail, falling just short of last year’s record fleet yet still the second largest in the event’s 17-year history. While the Reichel Pugh 52 Virago returns as the hot line-honours favourite for Division 1, there are some exceptional 50-footers lining up behind it – the Mylius 50 Daguet 2, X-50 Adela X and local boat 51st Project, a Beneteau First 50.
Among a swift pack of 40-footers are the Bakewell-White 40 Anarchy, Mat 1220 Bushranger, Farr 400 Vento and Ker 40 Mk3 Condor, while the biggest yacht overall is David Beck’s Bordeaux 60 Journey, representing Victoria’s Sandringham Yacht Club. Grassroots production cruiser-racers make up the vast majority of the remaining Passage Series fleet.
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club has 15 starters, Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia have 10 apiece, and there are eight contenders from Middle Harbour Yacht Club. Royal Motor Yacht Club clubs are also well represented.
“It’s a great fleet with a significant number of first-time entries and fresh faces, so things will certainly warm up as the week progresses,” Paul O’Rourke added.
Registration times are Sunday 30 March (2.00pm to 5.00pm) and Monday 31 March (8.00am to 10.00am). Racing will run through to Saturday, April 5, before Sail Port Stephens swings into Performance Series mode on April 25-27 and goes off the beach for the Bay Series on May 2-4.
Sail Port Stephens is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism agency Destination NSW, Port Stephens Council, Pantaenius Australia and subsidiary sponsors.
Event website: https://www.sailportstephens.com.au/
@sailportstephens
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