With the forecast for light conditions on for Days 2 and 3 of the 34th Australian Keelboat Regatta (AWKR), Race Officer Laura Hughson told competing crews to expect three races on this opening day, but the day was light with some Chinese water torture thrown in along with protests and only one race was possible. 

One had to feel for Hughson, this is the first time as Race Officer for this event, in the absence of Lou Hutton who is on a break. Three protests were lodged, but are yet to be heard. 

Crews in the fleet of 36 left the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron marina at St Kilda Pier early, looking forward to a full day of racing on Port Phillip.

“It was fine at the start, 8-10 knots, but as we went towards land, it petered out. And in the middle of the course there was nothing and then the breeze started fading again when we were under spinnaker, said Sydney yachtswoman, Dinah Eagle, who is enjoying her first AWKR. 

Three laps and a small change of course later, Division 1 went to Ciara Earley, owner/skipper of Jacobina, her Jutson 950, was in the top spot. Two other Victorian boats took the remaining podium places: Crusader, a Beneteau First 30jk (Sarah Clough) placed second and Bullet, a Bull 9000 (Robyn Ragauskas) was third.

“We had a nice clean start,” said Earley. “I think we picked the wind shifts well, we had it together, the crew sailed well and the light air suited the boat. 

“It’s great to win the first race – and to win a race at all! In the three years I’ve sailed the boat at AWKR, the best we’ve done till now is third in 2023,” a chuffed Earley said. 

Aboard Jacobina are two Geelong sailors, Ping from RMYS who is here for the first time and Sabina Rosser. “Sabina has sailed with us at this regatta for the last three years, she trims and sometimes steers the boat,” Earley said. 

Rosser was lauded at the Welcome and Briefing last evening at RMYS. She is contesting her 32nd AWKR this year, the 34th edition of the event. She crewed for the event’s founder, Gail Clough,  on Your Shout Next and since then has helmed many times, but this year, the longtime RMYS member, is happy sailing as crew on Jacobina. 
 
Back with Jacobina’s owner, Earley, “I love the sailing here, the fun, camaraderie, competition and the chats. All are good reasons to come here,” she said. 

Division 2 went to the Kiwi entry, Revolution (S80), skippered by Holly Farmer, who came and conquered in 2019, sailing Escape to win the S80 division and placed second in Division 2. 

Second and third today went to the Michelle De Blaquiere skippered J24 Gridlock from Sandringham Yacht Club and Jet, the J24, skippered by Townsville Yacht Club’s Janette Syme.

Farmer is here again from Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club, with a full Kiwi crew of six, of which all but two were here with her in 2019. 

“It was a pretty good day,” Farmer said. “Only the one race, which was a bit unfortunate. It was pretty shifty. You know never know what you’re going to get,” she said in relation to the forecast, which bore little resemblance to what they did get.

“It’s The first time we’ve raced together on this boat (also an S80), but we’ve sailed together for years at home and we did take the boat out for a practice yesterday. 

“We’d love a bit more wind - and get all the races in,” said Farmer, who along with her crew are looking forward to the official dinner this evening.

It was a tough gig for Race Officer Hughson, but all in a day’s work, she said. “Double Exposure (the J24 skippered by Maree Fitzpatrick from Whitsunday Sailing Club) was fortunate to finish. They crossed the finish line 23 seconds before the time limit expired,” she said.

Solidarity is the embodiment of the regatta. Mother/daughter combinations, sisters, best friends, all come together for this one-of-kind event that has many returning regulars who embrace the newcomers, while enjoying catching up with friends from other ports that they meet here. 

The three-day regatta is being held over the King’s Birthday weekend from 5-8 June, 2026. 

Full results and all information on the AWKR: https://awkr.com.au/

Article credit - Di Pearson
Images credit - Andrea Francolini