The final day at the 2025 Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta (AWKR) promised and gave it all – light wind – rain – cold – after Race Officer, Lou Hutton, delved into Melbourne’s weather cauldron and shared her findings with competitors at Royal Melbourne Yacht (RMYS) this morning, and afterwards the day delivered the overall winners and other special trophy recipients.
Port Phillip’s seaway was relatively benign and Hutton decided on two races, one windward/leeward and a short triangle around the cans.
Overall, in Division 1, it was always going to be hard to beat Claire Heenan (NSW) on Salvage Drinks Co Jungle Juice. Her crew comprised a mix of Gosford, Newcastle and Tasmanian sailors who lived up to the boat’s win of last year by doing it again.
Heenan’s Adams 10 crew had a perfect score, keeping up the impetus throughout to show a final tally of 5 points after dropping a second place! They also won ORC.
Second went to the Katie Holroyd skippered Adams 10, Serious Yahoo (Vic). The final podium place belongs to Robyn Ragauskas’ (Vic) Bull 9000, Bullet. Ragauskas moved up to second overall at one point, but Holroyd fought back, making it a thrilling series.
Heenan commented, “We did better than we hoped for. The plan came together though and I couldn’t fault the team. Our three new crew members performed beautifully and three from last year did the same. We plan to come back next year. We’ve had a ball.”
On the day’s racing, Heenan said “The breeze started at 10 knots and a rain squall came through and it lightened. The downwinds were quite shy. In the second race, it lightened and went back to the right, making life interesting for the triangle course. “We hit the top mark on the last run, so lost some time. That was the only thing that blotted our copy book today.”
Division 2s top three were: Michelle De Blaquiere’s J24, Gridlock (Vic), Sue Burke’s Defiance 30, Lanncoorie (Vic) and Deb Parker’s S80, Double Shot (Vic).
The S80 division, in a tight battle for the top three. Emma Maertens’ Hot Shot (Vic) crew were victorious after chipping away to overtake Double Shot. Two wins and a third sealed the deal and they won by two points. Regular, Fiona McManus did the Northern Territory proud, finishing third with Mood Indigo, just a point adrift of Double Shot.
“I’ve never sailed an S80 before and the competition was quite high,” Maertens said. “In the end, we made good tactics and that’s what got us ahead. We’re very happy as our crew is green. One of them didn’t know what a traveller was till this regatta. I’m very proud of them.
“I really like keelboat sailing. Regular club racing gets a bit repetitive, so to do this regatta is different. And it’s positive. I really wanted to give back to this event, so for me it was about giving women an opportunity to race here. I love this regatta. I will be back next year.”
Catherine North (Duxelle), winner EHC Division 1,was making her seventh appearance here, her third as skipper. She’s won multiple races, but this is her first major victory with the X-362 Sport boat she co-owns with her partner Michael McTavish and friend Peter Tonkin.
“It feels great to win,” North confessed. “In EHC it’s how well the crew sails. I’ve been supporting other women into sailing and this regatta is so empowering. Everyone is so supportive here. That is what I love best,” she said.
“I am a bit shy, but I’m more confident now with my sailing and I want others to become that way too. We had one crew member join us from Port Macquarie, Alison Wolstonholme, a friend of Fiona McManus’. We were put in touch with her by Monica Jones and she fit in very well. We will be back next year,” North concluded.
Sue Burke helmed Lanncoorie, a Defiance 30, to victory in EHC Division 2. It had the most 2 entries of the three categories. “Loaning some of the boats gives women the opportunity to show what they can do. It doesn’t happen anywhere else,” she said.
Lanncoorie scraped home to win after scoring their worst results today: “The boat hates light weather, so we dropped our 10th today and kept our seventh. We only one by one point. Day 1, with that heavy wind over 20 knots, won it for us basically, because we got a win and second,” said Burke who is at her third AWKR as a skipper.
“My crew were amazing. Our average age of six people is 66. They did a great job in challenging conditions,” she said of her mainly dinghy sailors’ team.
“We had a lot of fun, on the water – and ashore. But to win makes it more fun,” Burke said.
Last night AWKR participants were warmed by a hearty and tasty paella cooked at RMYS. It was most welcome after a long cold afternoon on the water. After, it was fun and games and music.
Tonight the Club held the official prize giving and awarded those winners mentioned above, but there were special trophies awarded to:
Rohan Brownlee Leadership and Endeavour Award: Monica Jones. Her nominator said: “Monica is selfless in her commitment to AWKR. She sacrifices a great deal as a competitor prioritising assisting all in finding boats, crew and always read to listen and support. There are many women who are on the water thanks to her.”
Novice Skipper: Grace Walpole on Georgia. (She placed third in EHC Division 2)
Most Improved Performance over the event: Nadine Huels (Cloud Ten)
Sportsmanship: Patti Hunt (Espresso). In part, her nomination read: “She was the first one on all days to tell the R.O. what a fantastic time they were all having and thanked volunteers for their work.”
Best Performed Owner/Skipper: Catherine North, Duxelle
The final words were left to Monica Jones, AWKR Chair. “It’s been a fantastic regatta again and I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. They seemed to, as witnessed last night at our Paella and Music night. So many dressed for the occasion and there was lots of laughter.
“We had some great racing in all sorts of winds and conditions, from sun to rainy. We’d love to see you all come back next year. And, as usual, we strive to welcome newcomers to sailing and to our event.
“Gai Clough started the Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta 33 years ago. She was a trail blazer in women’s sailing and the first female Commodore of our club and the first female Commodore of a sailing club in Australia,” Jones stated.
“Thanks to all those who loaned their boats to many competitors again. The regatta has grown due their generosity. Among them is one of our past Commodores, Janet Dean, whose boat Jungle Juice was on top of the podium for the second year running.
“To all our sponsors, we could not do without you, so thank you. Doyle Sails is one. A longtime supporter, Blake Anderson’s crew willingly take up any sail repairs which helps crews during the event – and those who loan their boats.
“Finally, I’d like to thank all our volunteers, without whose committed efforts, this regatta could not run. A shout out to the Boat Buoys, who help out before and after racing. Their enthusiasm every year is enduring and competitors appreciate them and all others.
“Thank you all for being here and we look forward to seeing you at the 34th Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta in 2026,” Jones ended.
Commodore, Cherry Birch, was in attendance and closed the regatta for another year.
Final full results: https://www.awkr.com.au/
List of entries: https://www.topyacht.com.au/db/kb2/1858
By Di Pearson/AWKR media
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