Red Dog skipper Yvette De Haan pulled off a stunning comeback to win the Shirley Freeman Memorial Trophy in challenging sea conditions on Sunday.

After trailing Le Cascadeur’s Leo Eeckman for much of the race, Red Dog clawed her way back to eventually take the lead in the final leg of the race and claim line honours.

With winds gusting up to 32 knots, a fleet of 22 yachts was reduced to just nine brave starters who did well to get around the course in building breeze and rain.

Hosted by Hobsons Bay Yacht Club, the Shirley Freeman Memorial Trophy is the club’s prestigious women’s skippers’ race.

Second place went to Le Cascadeur and third place went to Remedy, helmed by Nadine Huels. Both women steered brilliant races to land a podium finish.

The Meltemi Cup, awarded to the winner of the non-spinnaker division, went to Julianne Gibson, steering Karina.

The Shirley Freeman Memorial Trophy is the first race in the Port Phillip Women’s Championship Series, which has been instrumental in getting more women involved in sailing and helming yachts.

The series combines five race days, hosted by five different clubs, from December to May. Sailors can compete in the entire series or enter individual races.

Race Day 2 will be hosted by the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron on February 16.

Race Day 3 is at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria on March 1.

Race Day 4 is at Sandringham Yacht Club on March 22.

Race Day 5 is at Royal Brighton Yacht Club on May 3.

Click here for the full results of Race Day 1.

Photo credit: Bruno Cocozza

www.brunococozza.com.au