Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

More join party for Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta

by Di Pearson / AWKR media 14 May 05:25 UTC 6-9 June 2025
Vertigo, Clockwork, No Mans Land in 2024 during the Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta © Andrea Francolini / AWKR

Eighteen entries representing Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia, NSW and Victoria have so far been received for the 2025 Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta (AWKR), Australia's premier all-women sailing regatta, to be staged on Port Phillip over the King's Birthday weekend from 6-9 June.

"We're pleased with the entries received to-date and there are more on the way," promises Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron's (RMYS) event Chairwoman, Monica Jones, who is confident up to 40 boats will take part in the country's oldest and premier women's keelboat regatta.

Two entries have been received from the Northern Territory. Fiona McManus and her crew will again sail the S80, Mood Indigo, kindly loaned by Melburnian Keith Chatto.

"I've been doing the regatta for around 11 years now, " McManus says. "I just love it. It's such a great experience to be competing nationally in a bigger boat. I love the S80 and the one-design sailing. It's such a great opportunity for us in the Northern Territory. The fellows in Melbourne are generous to loan us their boat.

McManus says, "It's exciting have two entries coming down. Outlaw is going to be co-skippered by Jo Barrkman and Tash Bramble. They've both sailed with me before, but this is the first time skippering at the regatta for both.

"There is great enthusiasm at the regatta and we'll be there a couple of days beforehand for a bit of a shakedown. We're really looking forward to it again."

Both crews are representing Darwin Sailing Club, so good in-house competition is expected between them and the other S80s.

Claire Heenan is returning from NSW to sail Jungle Juice, the Adams 10 she won Division 1 with last year, kindly loaned to her again by Janet Dean, a past RMYS Commodore.

Victoria is, of course, well represented, including some new skippers. Wendy Ludwick will be at the helm of the Cavalier 350 Siren, while Ciara Earley will helm Jacobina, the Jutson 950 she owns with her husband, John Rea.

"I've been doing the Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta for years. I did my first in 2007 and I did it on Jacobina last year, but Sabina Rosser was helming. This is my first year helming the boat," said Earley, who sometimes steers it in club races.

"The regatta is a lot of fun. It's a good opportunity to sail with a bunch of women who are friends and it's quite competitive as well," Earley finishes.

Apart from competitive sailing, the AWKR is renowned for its social side. Breakfast is available on site every race day. And post sailing is a free sausage sizzle with a drink.

The Briefing Night, which kicks off proceedings, also doubles as a perfect opportunity for networking and building connections within the sailing community before the racing starts.

Saturday 7 June is the official crew dinner at RMYS and bookings are essential. Sunday is the Boat Buoy Yard Party and guarantees music, fun, a sausage sizzle and drinks. Monday is farewell, with the Presentation and a celebration of the regatta.

Jones is the event, is also excited to announce, "Two new sponsors have signed up for our event; Yacht Racing Services Association (YRSA) in Victoria, a body that provides yacht rating services and joining them is Quest St Kilda Bayside Hotel.

"In welcoming the new sponsors, who join a throng of returning sponsors, Jones thanked all for their generosity "in supporting our fantastic event: Rothwell Lawyers; Melbourne Debt Collectors; Polished Brands; Boating Central; Wine By Sam; Doyle Sails; Bruise-eze and Jimmy Rum."

The AWKR is open to all women, from professionals to novices. Age is no barrier either and organisers at RMYS are looking forward to welcoming all participants to the 33rd AWKR.

A regular competitor herself, Jones said, "We're expecting up to 40 boats and 300 competitors this year. Apart from the usual fleet racing, ideally we will have S80, J24, Adams 10 and Trailable divisions, depending on numbers.

"For those who can, we would love for people to bring their own boats too," comments Jones, who says loan boats will again be available to those who are unable to bring their own.

"It's a unique feature of our regatta and we thank all those boat owners who help in this regard. We also thank the volunteer Boat Buoys who help out with repairs every year."

On the racing side, Jones says, "It will be as competitive as ever and we are working hard to make sure the social aspect is a memorable one for everyone again too."

The camaraderie is a standout at the AWKR, only second to the racing. It is among the reasons many make an effort to come back.

Dinner is available at RMYS the evening before racing starts and there is a crew dinner on Saturday night. The prize-giving will be held on Monday afternoon. A free sausage sizzle and drinks held post racing each day at the Club's 'Boat Buoys BBQ', is a perfect time for old and new friends to catch up and to discuss the day's racing.

There is a Crew Dinner on Saturday 7 June, but online bookings at the official site are essential, as numbers are limited. Sunday is the Boat Buoy Yard Party and Monday evening is the Presentation before the regatta wraps up for another year.

Trophies are awarded to the various winners, with prizes for Novice Helm; Most Improved Over the Series; Sportsmanship; Rohan Brownlee Leadership and Endeavour Award and Best Performed Owner/Skipper.

If you are looking for crew or would like to crew, please go to: www.awkr.com.au/crew-noticeboard or email: awkr@rmys.com.au or phone (03) 9534-0227.

There is a place for everyone from novices up to professionals at the AWKR, so don't wait, enter online now at: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1355039

List of entries: www.topyacht.com.au/db/kb2/1858

Notice of Race and all other information: www.awkr.com.au.

Related Articles

Bayliss Boatworks new construction updates
The team is making solid headway on Mama Seata Tarheel is shaping up beautifully, with our exterior carpentry team recently installing the teak coaming and coverboards in the cockpit. Posted on 3 Jul
A new chapter begins
Two new flagship models for the Open & Heritage Series Introducing the all-new Heritage 321 — the ultimate family center console and the new flagship of the Heritage Series. Posted on 2 Jul
Marine Auctions: Special July Online Auction
The bidding will end on Tuesday 22 July at 2pm AEST The alternative way of selling any type of vessel or marine asset with proven and successful results. Posted on 2 Jul
One thing. One big, very fast boat
One thing that opened the door, another made us enquire some more - 50 knots! Yes. It was one thing that opened the door, as it were. One thing that piqued the curiosity enough to go, ‘I'll take a look at that!' One thing that when you're trying to crack in excess of 50 knots... Posted on 30 Jun
Fishing: Patterning brown bass
Post-spawn through summer smallies Whitewater Fishing B.A.S.S. tournament pro, Alex Redwine, talks fishing the transition period Posted on 26 Jun
2025 Bahamas Fly-fishing Tournament Series
Anglers to compete across some of The Bahamas' top bonefishing spots The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation announced the launch of Bonefishing Tournament Series that will showcase diverse pristine flats across four islands - Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera and the championship round will be held in Exuma Posted on 20 Jun
Mote leads seagrass restoration initiative
Florida legislature establishes the Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative Seagrasses play a crucial role in the health and resilience of Florida's coastal ecosystems. They provide nursery habitats for keystone species and stabilize shorelines and sediments. Posted on 20 Jun
Maritimo M50 Flybridge & S60 Sedan Video
We speak to Maritimo's Neil McCabe & Phil Candler We talked to Neil McCabe, Maritimo's Design Office Manager, and Phil Candler, Maritimo's General Manager Operations, to find out more about the M50 Flybridge and S60 Sedan during the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Posted on 17 Jun
“I'm living my dad's dream”
Carl made sure to provide young Kyle the chance to be a seasoned pond hopper Carl Cortiana is about to turn 70, but he still remembers the days four decades ago when he'd cast a practice plug across the living room floor and his toddler son, Kyle, now a highly accomplished Vexus pro on the MLF Toyota Series. Posted on 14 Jun
Stories From The Salt - Ep.6
Insights from PENN's top anglers Whether you're a passionate saltwater angler who eagerly dedicates every spare moment to being out on the water, or you simply enjoy watching the techniques and experiences of others, we invite you to anchor up and learn some valuable insights Posted on 14 Jun
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo S Series