After five days of competitive but fun racing on the spectacular waterway of Port Stephens and its offshore islands, the final results are in and the divisional winners are celebrating.
The wind gods bestowed a parting favour on the record fleet, summoning a 15-knot southerly breeze that quickly sent Divisions 1 and 2 to their course in Salamander Bay while Divisions 3, 4 and Non-Spinnaker sailed a more traditional course into the western reaches of the huge bay.
For the crew of Jambo, Stephanie Cook and Rob Carr’s Summit King 40, it was a matter of ensuring they avoided any major dramas and kept tabs on their nearest rivals in the series point score. They did so and thereby clinched the Division 1 PHS crown for 2026.
“We often use the old saying about roosters to feather dusters,” Cook laughed. “So we were very conscious of that. We’ve only had the boat for two years but we have tweaked it to get where it is. The difference here was we didn’t have any major stuff-ups and no equipment broke.”
Co-owner and husband Rob Carr acknowledged Stephanie’s helming prowess, guiding Jambo around a crowded and tactically challenging racecourse.
“She did a great job. I think we’ve sailed here 10 times but this year’s been the best,” Carr said. “The [race] organisation and the communication has been extremely good. We’ll be back.”
Julian Bell’s consistently well-sailed Beneteau First 50 51st Project secured second in Division 1, with Banter – a Beneteau First 45 from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club – third on a countback from two other boats, reflecting how tight the racing was.
Local knowledge and experience can prove the decider at Sail Port Stephens and Barry Kelly and his crew on Concealed Weapon have been sailing his Archambault M34 for over a decade.
“We knew it could go a few ways today so we just decided to sail the boat as hard as we could,” Kelly said after securing Division 2 honours. “You never know what you’re going to get weather-wise but it’s been absolutely glorious and great racing.”
Another Fiasco, Tim Savage’s Jutson 43 from the Cronulla Sailing Club, earned a well-deserved second in Division 2, while Sail Port Stephens regular Animal Farm added another podium result to its collection.
In Division 3, Chris McSorley and his crew aboard his Hanse 445 Lunacy notched-up an extremely consistent performance across both the light and stronger breezes to take home the silverware from Mach 1, David Cartmer’s Bavaria 38 Match, and Kelsea Blue, Adrian Williams’ C&C 115.
Six years ago Max Wood convinced the owner of a neglected Compass 38 to relinquish the venerable 1976 design for the modest sum of $5000. He spent much of the pandemic restoring it himself, replacing the rigging and the interior.
Last night he celebrated Windwood’s convincing Division 4 victory with his clearly elated crew from the Wangi Amateur Sailing Club on Lake Macquarie.
“It’s unbelievable. I think we’re about the second oldest boat in the fleet,” Wood confessed. “Five days of sailing, beautiful weather, great place. We have a large overlapping headsail and it worked well. But they [the crew] want me to buy new sails now.”
Putting the win in perspective, Windwood’s result was up against 27 other well-sailed boats including Charles Daniels’ Hanse 371 Eureka which was second, and Keith Masters’ Bavaria 40 Windmaiden in third.
The Non-Spinnaker Division was another win for the true believers, with Sandy Hume and his crew aboard his Catalina 320 Windfalls holding-off the challenge by two Bavarias – Paul Baston’s Namadgi 3 and Jo Gomboso’s Konan the Barbarian.
“We’re very grateful we managed to squeeze a victory,” said Hume of Windfalls’ half-point margin. “We have a great crew, everybody’s learnt a bit, learnt from each other … It’s our first Sail Port Stephens and it won’t be our last.
“The atmosphere, the social part, is terrific but we’ve had quite early nights because we’ve been knackered.”
Hume did stay a little later than usual to celebrate the long overdue win with family and supporters, joining the large crowd that gathered at the Regatta Village at d’Albora Marina Nelson Bay.
The quality of the courses, weather, racing and bonhomie of this year’s Commodores Cup Passage Series make it a stand-out, according to Sail Port Stephens stalwart Peter Lewis who has 19 regattas to his name.
“Definitely the best ever,” Lewis declared. “I’ll be back next year. The accommodation is already booked.
“Even though we came mid-fleet we had a fantastic time. We struggle a bit in the light weather, the weight of the chandelier, the champagne, the fridges and our costumes, of course,” he added, referring to the uber chic traditional beret and cape favoured by the Ca Va crew at functions.
From humble beginnings in 2007 the regatta has evolved into one of the premium events on the Australian keelboat calendar.
“I think it has been our best edition,” agreed founding Regatta Director Paul O’Rourke. “The weather has just been outstanding every day. We’ve been able to get a mix of inshore and offshore courses, the beer garden here at d’Albora Nelson Bay, the Street Party the Port Stephens Council put on – it’s all been great.”
For those contemplating heading to Port Stephens for the regatta’s 20th anniversary, O’Rourke has promised an even bigger and better event with the spirit of inclusiveness SPS is now famous for. Dates are 12-17 April 2027.
Sail Port Stephens thanks Strategic Sponsor Destination NSW and Port Stephens Council
Day 5 video: https://youtu.be/cTfhbhZGpEM
