ANZAC Day provided a poignant backdrop to Day 2 of the 2026 Sail Port Stephens Performance Series, where reverence transformed into thrilling racing moments.
The start was postponed at Nelson Bay, allowing crews to enjoy a spectacular RAAF jet flyover while race official Ted Anderson read the Ode over VHF, followed by a minute’s silence observed across the course.
Principal Race Officer Dennis Thompson made the decision to head offshore in search of wind. His timing was fortuitous as a summer-style seabreeze replaced the westerly, building to 10 knots by the race’s commencement. The passage race quickly gained momentum.
The Division 1 and 2 fleets launched on Course 11, heading towards scenic Broughton Island. Meanwhile, the Division 3 boats tackled a shorter tactical Course 12, navigating a close reach across Providence Bay before rounding a mark off Bennetts Beach.
The TP52 Gold Cup Act 3 and Division 1 of the NSW IRC Yachting Championship showcased exhilarating close racing, with First Light (Peter White) claiming victory and ending Matador’s run of line honours wins in a thrilling finish, just 24 seconds apart. Matador (David Doherty) remained the benchmark, finishing first on corrected time by approximately two minutes, solidifying its status in the overall standings with Smuggler following closely in second place.
In a highlight of the day, Western Australia’s Don’t Panic, helmed by David Davenport, excelled in the fresh seabreeze, defeating regatta leader Beau Ideal by over 10 minutes on corrected time. However, Beau Ideal retained the overall lead, closely watched by Ambition and Edge, which are still within striking distance.
Ambition (Chris Dare), a Botin Carkeek GP42, performed steadily, finishing third on handicap in Race 4, while Stratacare Racing Flyaway secured third place overall with 15 points.
The Super 40 title remained tight; Beau Ideal led with 7 points followed by Ambition at 8.5 and Edge at 12.5, with two races still ahead.
In Division 3, Celestial C31 continued its dominance, achieving both line and handicap honours in Race 4, furthering its grip on the division standings. Road Runner claimed a close second post-correction, while Trex stayed competitive in third place.
After four races, the Division 3 leaderboard is tightly packed, with Trex (16pts), Road Runner (16.5), and Brent Lawson’s Farr 40 Bluetack (17) all in contention.
In the Cape 31 Nationals, Celestial leads Trex by 5 points and Game On by 7 points, although competition remains fierce as potential light air challenges loom for the last day of racing.
In the ORC rankings for the Rob Hampshire Cup, Beau Ideal and Celestial C31 both hold leads at 9 points, followed closely by Ambition/Edge and Road Runner.
The focus shifts to the final day, where light and unpredictable conditions are anticipated, presenting a significant challenge for race management and tacticians alike.
Event website: https://www.sailportstephens.com.au/performance-racing/
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https://www.sailportstephens.com.au
Sail Port Stephens is supported by the NSW Government tourism agency Destination NSW and Port Stephens Council.
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