After two years of COVID disruptions and re-schedules, the 2022 Mooloolaba Women’s Keelboat Regatta will be hotly contested on the Mooloola River from May 13 to 15, by teams from up and down Australia’s east coast.

Round-the-buoys racing will be held on a tight and challenging course on the Mooloola River, with great spectator viewing from The Wharf precinct and foreshore. Eight teams will compete on the MYC’s fleet of Elliot 6 keelboats, with the ‘Battle for the Bubbles’ held on Friday 13th; Round 1 on Saturday and a Gold and Silver fleets race-off on Sunday.

Entries opened a month ago, and the limited places were all snapped up within 24 hours by four local MYC teams, and one each from Tweed Valley Sailing Club; Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club; Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron; and one team representing Townsville Sailing Club and Townsville Yacht Club.

“We’re so excited to be welcoming teams from interstate again, re-connecting with sailors who’ve competed before, and meeting new sailors who’ll get to enjoy our beautiful – and challenging! – race course,” commented Tanya Kelly, MYC Commodore and Skipper of Team Orange.

“Last year saw some great competition and exciting tactical racing. We had a broad range of skill levels and it was fantastic to see the support and camaraderie within – and between – the different crews. We’re looking forward to recreating that atmosphere this year.”

The regatta has grown out of the Mooloolaba Yacht Club’s successful Women’s Skills Development program, which aims to promote pathways for women to build their racing, cruising and skippering skills in the traditionally male-dominated sport of sailing. The program has seen over 100 women sign up for sailing at the club since its inception in 2017.

The Mooloolaba Women’s Keelboat Regatta is run in association with SheSails, the Australian Sailing campaign running in yacht clubs across the country to increase women’s participation in the sport of sailing.

For details: www.mooloolabayachtclub.com.au