Creative additions bolster Pantaenius Pittwater Regatta
by Di Pearson / RPAYC media 30 Jan 03:26 UTC
7-9 February 2025
A blaze of colour with Super 40, Litte Nico, in foreground - Pittwater Regatta 2024 © Andrea Francolini / RPAYC
The Pantaenius Pittwater Regatta is back bigger and better this February, with a number of new additions to the much loved summer event, organised and hosted by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) on inshore and offshore courses at Pittwater.
Supported by Sydney Marine Brokerage, the NSW ORC Championship will be a showdown well worth sailing in - or watching the action unfold. Held over three days from 7 to 9 February, it will be decided by an offshore passage race, offshore windward/leeward courses and inshore racing.
Entrants include past winners, those waiting in the wings and newcomers: Kukukerchoo (David Ross), Nine Dragons (Bob Cox), Panchax (Jan 'Clogs' Scholten), Toybox 2 (Ian Box), Organised Chaos (Garry Gudmunson) and Bullwinkle (Peter Farrugia) are among them.
An ever-evolving event, the Pittwater Regatta is to host the three day Australian Sports Boat Championship for the first time.
Sports boats are arriving from all ports. Queenslanders include Andrew Wiklund's Crank and Scott Percy's Slingshot. Central Coast is well represented with the likes of Malcolm Dean's Black Betty and Tim Peachy's The Cube, while the home growns have Burke Melia's Deliberate Distraction and Andrew York's Like Oxygen among them.
The Pittwater Cup series will be sailed on Pittwater and the Estuary (Broken Bay) over two days on 8-9 February. Kick-starting the Cup is the ever-popular 5 Heads Challenge, a stunning 20nm race intertwining Pittwater and Broken Bay.
This event will host a new Performance 40 Club Championship and the Sydney 38 NSW Championship. Proposed by Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, the fleet combines boats from Sydney 36s to Farr 40s possessing an ORC rating. The concept offers non-planing designs with symmetrical kites and of similar performances to race against their own kind.
To make life more interesting, the Performance 40 division will incorporate an interclub team's competition. Teams of three from each Club will up the ante another notch or two.
In another first, the Pittwater Cup will showcase a fleet of Grand Soleils. Made in Italy, these fast and elegant boats are a welcome inclusion. Ian Feguson's Espresso, Lee Hawkley's Andiamo and Stephen Ainge's Crest are among those setting the trend.
Making a return is an invigorated the Super 40 division, made up of planning boats with asymmetrical kites. RPAYC sailor, Michael Ritchie, has been a tireless driving force in encouraging entries. Eight boat owners have so far answered the call in this fast and fun class and Ritchie could not be more pleased.
"We started the division last year and this time we've grown to three times that fleet, with eight or nine boats. It's great to see it grow for a regatta like this and the quality is insane," he says of entries such as Grant Pocklington's Anarchy, Justin Brownbill's Botany Access, Ross Hennessy's Condor and his own Revolver.
"The concept is making sense to people now, so I think more will come across. Some Youth Development sailors are keen to get into the boats too - and that means longevity for the class. It's going to be great racing. We're really looking forward to it."
Rob McClelland says, "As Commodore of Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, it's an honour and very exciting to see the level of competition for the Pittwater Regatta."
"The Club loves to host regattas and welcome fellow sailors from Sydney Harbour, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and interstate. This year, competitors are representing NSW, Queensland and Victoria. I pass on a warm welcome to all," he says of entries that have broached 80 to-date, spanning 14 clubs.
Finally, the afterparty ashore is widely talked about by the revellers themselves, with fun, games and music throughout the regatta based around the nightly prize-giving.
Commodore McClelland added, "The 2025 Pittwater Regatta is proud to be supported by Pantaenius Sail and Motor Yacht Insurance and Sydney Marine Brokers, two key sponsors whose contributions are vital to its success. Their commitment to it and the sailing community enables us to deliver a high-profile of regatta.
"RPAYC thanks Middle Harbour Yacht Club and Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay for their valuable assistance over the three days. "We couldn't manage it without their help," Commodore McClelland ended.
Entries in the Pantaenius Pittwater Regatta close at 1700hrs on 2 February. Late entries may be accepted at an additional fee. To enter and for all information, please go to: www.pittwaterregatta.au.