Three incredible nominees will be recognised for making outstanding contributions to female participation at the 2025 Australian Sailing Awards.

South Australia Women's Keelboat Regatta (SA), Eleanor Cunningham (NSW/ACT), and Robyn Ragauskas (VIC) are the finalists for the prestigious SheSails Award. 

The nation’s peak sailing awards will be held at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney on Friday, November 14.

FINALISTS:

South Australia Women's Keelboat Regatta (SA)

The South Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta (SAWKR), hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of SA (CYCSA) at North Haven, is an example of collaboration and inclusivity in sailing. 

The 2024 event, delivered in partnership with the Royal SA Yacht Squadron (RSAYS) and the Port Adelaide Sailing Club (PASC), marked the third SAWKR since its successful launch in 2022. 

The regatta has continued to build remarkable momentum, growing from 118 women sailors and 21 boats in its inaugural year to 174 competitors on 30 boats. The growth highlights both the expanding impact of the event and the increasing demand for opportunities for women in keelboat racing.

The aim of SAWKR is to provide a unique, welcoming, accessible, and inclusive regatta experience that will build women’s participation in sailing in South Australia and beyond. It strives to provide diverse racing opportunities for growth and development of women’s sailing skills and knowledge, encourage more women skippers and crews to participate in the sport of keelboat racing, and promote women’s leadership and camaraderie on and off the water.

Participation has increased over three regattas from 118 to 174 competitors and is a testament to the enthusiasm, competitiveness and fun enjoyed by everyone involved with SAWKR 2024.

Eleanor Cunningham (NSW/ACT)

Eleanor Cunningham has been instrumental in the success of the SheSails Program at Lake Macquarie Yacht Club. She also leads the Lake Macquarie SheSails Group Committee that has strategically developed the Lake Macquarie SheSails Regatta over the last 8 years. 

This year saw over 20 yachts competing with over 120 sailors, 8 yachts with all female crews and all other yachts having at least 50% female crew.

Eleanor is actively passionate about sailing and provides endless support in volunteering her time. She has also introduced women to other boat owners for crewing opportunities throughout the LMYC fleet and heads up an all-female crew for two seasons on an Adams 10.6.  

She has also been highly active in organising & competing in crews that represented LMYC in five NCYC SheSails Open Regattas, crewing in the 'Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series' 2025 and competing in LMYC’s Wednesday & Saturday summer season races.

Eleanor has also been a Flag Officer at LMYC for many years and is a current member of the LMYC Board, Sailing and History Committee.

All of this selfless work by Eleanor has influenced LMYC’s success in female participation. There has been an increase of over 74% in the last two years with 215 female Sailing Members at LMYC with Australian Sailing SIN numbers for 2025.

Robyn Ragauskas (VIC)

Robyn's leadership, drive, and unwavering commitment has played a central role in transforming the landscape of women’s sailing at Southport Yacht Club.

For the past three seasons, Robyn has served as the SheSails representative on the SYC Sailing Committee, using her role to drive meaningful initiatives that empower, educate, and connect female sailors. 

One of her most impactful contributions has been the launch and ongoing delivery of SYC’s women-specific training courses, now entering its third season. These courses regularly attract participants and offer a supportive, inclusive space where women can build skills, confidence, and camaraderie on the water.

Robyn’s passion extends beyond training, into the competitive racing arena. She and her husband Eddie co-own and race their keelboat Bullet, which competes regularly in Division 2 of the SYC Aggregate and other club events. Robyn is also a dedicated supporter of all-women racing, consistently assembling all-female crews to take part in the Port Phillip Women’s Championship Series. 

Robyn plays a central role in both of the club’s flagship women’s events – the Women in Sailing Challenge and the Commodore’s Challenge. The Women in Sailing Challenge forms part of the Port Phillip Women's Championship Series and also includes a cruising division for those less experienced or sailing more cruising type yachts. 

Beyond racing and formal training, Robyn has been instrumental in building a vibrant and supportive women’s sailing community at SYC. Robyn is a vocal champion for female helms, regularly promoting opportunities for women to take the helm during SYC’s Wednesday and Thursday racing series. Her efforts have resulted in a visible and meaningful increase in female participation across club racing, with more women stepping into leadership roles on and off the water.