Belying a tropical 30-degree heatwave, Sail Port Stephens 2018 got off to a chilled start today in light and fickle westerly winds that preceded a late afternoon glass-out. A record 78 boats – spread across three divisions for the first time – greeted the starter for a downwind dash from Nelson Bay to Shoal Bay,…
Port Stephens wore its Sunday-best weather today, with summer-like temperatures and gentle autumn breezes, however it made for some leisurely progress in the annual Sail Port Stephens feeder race from Newcastle. The Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club sent its largest ever fleet of 48 yachts across Stockton Bight in 5-10 knots after a spectacular, tightly packed…
The Women Who Sail Australia (WWSA) group will be staging their third consecutive Gathering on the Bay as an entrée to Sail Port Stephens. It’s a chance for women sailors, and those interested in becoming one, to meet, network, share knowledge and learn. Organiser Shelley Wright is expecting attendees from interstate and overseas as well…
Wild Oats wines and bubbles have graced Sail Port Stephens for many years but now the regatta is getting a taste of the ‘real thing’ – Wild Oats X is lining up for the prestigious NSW IRC Championship for the first time. Sandy Oatley family’s canting-keeled Reichel-Pugh 66 belied its size and vintage in the…
Sail Port Stephens’ cruisy Commodores Cup regatta is set for its largest ever fleet when the starter’s flag drops on April 9. With entries still open until 5pm on Thursday March 29, almost 60 yachts are already registered. They range from a local Elliott 780 trailer sailer to Graham Buckeridge’s Frers 61 Margaret Rintoul V,…
It will be all beer and skittles at Sail Port Stephens in April if you happen to be a 16-Foot skiff sailor, as a fun ‘Keg Run’ has been added to the regatta calendar for the first time. Six kegs, or the equivalent in cartons, will be laid on for crews to slake their hard-earned…
ENTRIES and the Notice of Race for the 2018 Sail Port Stephens race week have now gone online as another ripper regatta is predicted for April 9-15. The success of last year’s 10th anniversary regatta is projected to provide a significant springboard for entries, with close to 1000 competitors expected aboard a plethora of sailing…
With the snap of a stay during the closing scenes of the Seabreeze Super 12 NSW Championship fleet at Sail Port Stephens 2017 yesterday, the fortunes of the two frontrunners changed dramatically. The Melges 32 Breezin, owned by Brad Sewell from southern Lake Macquarie, had begun the final day with a one-point advantage over local Port…
The wind and weather gods continued to smile over the 10th anniversary Sail Port Stephens for a magic final day, with gentle east- to nor-east winds belying an approaching cold front soon to deliver rain and strong winds. The record 112 boats and crews made the journey to Port Stephens from South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and…
As part of the 10th anniversary Sail Port Stephens regatta, 21 sports boat crews are in town contesting their national title. Four more races into the Australian championship and Andrew York’s Reo Speedwagon easily scored boat of the day, thanks to four bullets, and is the new series leader. The combined fleet enjoyed the most…