History

The foundations for Sail Port Stephens were laid in 2006 when the Tomaree Events Forum and local businesses recognised the region’s potential to host a major sailing regatta. With the support of founding partners The Anchorage Resort, d’Albora Marina, Wests Diggers, All Seasons Salamander Shores, and Port Stephens Council, the vision began to take shape. Rhumbline Marketing was engaged to develop the event strategy, bringing professional race management and administration on board to help turn the concept into reality.

With support from Port Stephens Council, Corlette Point Sailing Association (CPSA) agreed to host the proposed regatta, securing backing from major Sydney yacht clubs and endorsement from Yachting NSW. A trial event attracted approximately 12–15 boats across IOR and Hood divisions, with a memorable retro fancy-dress party among the highlights. The successful trial paved the way for the inaugural Sail Port Stephens in 2008.

The inaugural event attracted 25 boats, establishing the foundation for the regatta’s growth. The founding supporters included The Anchorage, d’Albora Marina, Wests Diggers, All Seasons Salamander Shores and Port Stephens Council.

The fleet expanded to 64 boats. Sail Port Stephens also hosted the second Melges 24 National Titles, with family crews forming a strong part of the event’s character. The Farrimond family reunited from Australia and overseas to race Faz Vitesse.

Entries reached 85 boats. Rob Hanna’s Shogun won the NSW IRC Championship and IRC Division 1 after receiving a new mast in late March—a successful return following an earlier dismasting.

Sixteen Jeanneau owners and crews contested the Commodores Cup. Their gathering included a cruise north from Pittwater, cocktail parties, racing around the islands and a Jeanneau long lunch following a Hunter Valley wine tour. A useful example of the sailing-holiday experience taking shape.

The opening-day report describes 45 Commodores Cup boats, pouring rain and approximately two knots of breeze at Nelson Bay.

Philip Grove’s Huntress won Commodores Cup Division 1 and Malcolm Edwards’ Azzura won Division 2. The report also captures the appeal of returning boats such as Margaret Rintoul V, whose crew valued the island courses and the regatta’s suitability for their style of sailing.

More than 600 sailors across over 90 boats attended. Len Payne’s Kerinda won Commodores Cup Division 2 for the second time in three years. His memorable story: leaving rainy Port Stephens to return to his drought-affected Tamworth farm to organise feed and attend to calving.

Jan Howard’s all-women Schouten Passage crew raced against sistership JAB, with husband Rob aboard. Meanwhile, Paul O’Rourke finally raced his own Margaritaville, duelling with Lu Lu Belle for sailing and Hawaiian-shirt honours.

Following a shock cancer diagnosis after a successful 2015 Sydney Hobart campaign, stalwart Sail Port Stephens participant, Roger ‘Hicko’ Hickman, sets goal at sailing again at Sail Port Stephens. Hicko lost his battle shortly before the event, and the Spirit of Port Stephens trophy is renamed the ‘Hicko Shield’ in his honour.

Junior One Sail racing continued alongside the main regatta, giving younger competitors the opportunity to be part of Sail Port Stephens. The event’s combination of cruising divisions, competitive racing, and junior participation was helping establish its appeal across generations.

The 10th anniversary regatta welcomed a record 112 boats, with crews travelling from across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia. A week of spectacular autumn conditions provided a fitting celebration, with Aaron Rowe’s TP52 RKO claiming the NSW IRC Championship.

By its 11th edition, Sail Port Stephens had established itself as a regular destination for cruising sailors and competitive racing crews. The event continued to bring together the Commodores Cup, performance racing, and championship competition on the waters of Port Stephens.

The regatta’s diverse fleet included IRC racers, Farr 40s, Super 12s, cruising yachts, and smaller sailing classes. Almost 20 Jeanneau yachts joined the 100-strong Commodores Cup fleet, with Martin Mahoney’s Toucan taking overall honours in the Jeanneau Trophy Series.

For the first time since its inception, Sail Port Stephens was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With racing and gatherings restricted, competitors were left to reminisce about past regattas while looking forward to returning to Port Stephens the following year.

Rob Hampshire, a 12-year veteran volunteer of Sail Port Stephens, passes away after a battle with cancer. His indefatigable nature and service to the event was memorialised in the Rob Hampshire ORC Trophy.

Sail Port Stephens returned with record enthusiasm following the previous year’s cancellation. The Commodores Cup attracted 108 entries, while the Bay Sailing Centre hosted its first fully fledged off-the-beach regatta. Around 180 boats took to the water on Super Saturday, celebrating the legacy of regatta ambassador Roger ‘Hicko’ Hickman.

The regatta returned to its familiar week-long format, incorporating the Commodores Cup, Port Stephens Trophy, NSW Yachting Championships, and TP52 competition. Growing demand for berthing and accommodation was beginning to stretch the capacity of the traditional schedule, prompting plans for a major change the following year.

Sail Port Stephens expanded beyond its traditional week-long format into three separate racing events across April and May. The new structure introduced an extended Passage Series, a standalone NSW Yachting Championships and windward-leeward series, and a dedicated Bay Series for smaller classes. A record 108 yachts entered the opening Passage Series.

Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club took on responsibility for Sail Port Stephens, marking an important chapter in the event’s development. The Passage Series welcomed a record 115 entries, with boats ranging from smaller trailable yachts to grand-prix racers. The regatta’s growing popularity continued to deliver significant economic benefits to the Port Stephens region.

Sail Port Stephens continued to develop its multi-series format, bringing cruising yachts, grand-prix racing fleets, sportsboats, and off-the-beach classes together across the region. Planning was also underway for a major expansion in 2026, with new racing divisions and a stronger focus on shoreside entertainment and community participation.

Sail Port Stephens reached new heights with 303 boats and approximately 2,700 participants across three weeks of racing. The expanded program introduced the Cat Stephens multihull regatta, an Interclub 40 challenge, and new invitational keelboat racing. A dedicated Race Village at d’Albora Marina, complete with grandstand, live race coverage, and entertainment, brought the action closer to spectators than ever before.