Yesterday was my first time ever witnessing first-hand the thrill of a major race, including 5 divisions and 114 boats of all shapes and sizes.
The energy down at the docks before the race was electric as I walked around taking some photos of the preparations. Everyone was there to have a good time out on the water with their crews and you could tell there was a real sense of camaraderie between fellow yachties – young and old.
During the race starts it was my job to get as many action shots as I could of all the boats as they set off for the first mark near Shoal Bay. I was not expecting there to be so many yachts around and it wasn’t hard to find a shot of someone pulling on ropes or a boat gliding through the water.
After all five divisions set off, the media crew and I powered to Shoal Bay and got some beautiful footage of dozens of colourful spinnakers flying in the air. When there are over 100 boats all flying different coloured spinnakers of all different sizes, it makes for a sensational sight!!
After capturing the faces of smiling crew on various yachts, we then went down to Salamander Bay and prepared to get footage of division 1 rounding the bottom mark. While it was all action on the start line, it soon became a very slow race when the wind dropped right off to less than 5 knots. The first few boats moseyed around the mark and left just as slow as they came until the wind finally decided it would help us out so the rest of the fleet could be on their way.
Though not sailing at record breaking speeds, it was still an invaluable experience being able to witness these deeply versed sailors apply their knowledge to keep their boats moving in light air and has undoubtedly taught me a thing or two about handling my own boat someday.
Next it was my turn to get some footage on the GoPro of crew up-close as we made our way to the next mark. It was wonderful to see so many happy crews that weren’t phased by the lack of wind and were content with wherever they placed as long as they were having a grand old time.
I saw various ways people passed the time – including cold drinks and red frogs (one crew even threw some across for us!).
It was clear that there was so much more meaning to the race than just winning a title – it was about testing your skills, having fun with your crew and the love of salt water that runs in the blood of all sailors!
Watching everyone round the next mark was the most entertaining part of the day! The wind had once again decided it had had enough, meaning that 50-odd boats were all stuck rounding the same mark at the same time.
Yachts were packed in like sardines as crews began yelling at each other to “Watch out!” or “Get out of the way!”. As they struggled to avoid bumping, it was very comical hearing them all get frustrated with the predicament and made for some great drone and GoPro footage.
With the race slowly wrapping up, the media crew and I made our way back to d’Albora Marina, stopping on the way of course to get some great action shots.
As a 15-year-old girl who is in love with sailing and the water, being given the opportunity to experience what I did yesterday and today has been indispensable. The knowledge that these sailing fanatics have is something that I aspire to achieve and is an inspiration for me to continue to follow my dream of one day circumnavigating the globe.
Thank you so much to Media Director Mark Rothfield for making all this possible! Sail Port Stephens 2024 is certainly an event worth visiting and is a spectacular sight you must see! Good luck to all competitors in the events to come!
– Matilda Corbett
