It was a spectacular day on Sydney Harbour for Race 3 of the Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series (SHWKS). A crisp 10-15 knot sou-sou-easterly breeze combined with a beautiful clear sky and warm 25-degree temperature made perfect sailing conditions for the 16-strong fleet.

Celebrating its inaugural season in 2020-21, SHWKS is a collaboration between the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), Manly Yacht Club (MYC) and Middle Harbour Yacht Club (MHYC). Races 1 and 4 are conducted by MYC, Race 2 by MHYC and Sunday’s Race 3 by CYCA.

The racing is split into two Subseries of Full-Female Crew or Female Skipper, and competitors can choose to sail in a Spinnaker or Non-spinnaker Class. All results are attained using the PHS handicap system.

After starting off Point Piper 1300hrs Sunday 28 February, most of the fleet quickly raised their spinnaker, making for a wonderful sight as they raced downwind. The racecourse sent the fleet around Sydney Harbour with everyone home with 1-2 hours.

Full-Female Crew divisions

All of the Full-Female Crew teams on the day opted to race with their spinnakers. Katy McDonald and her team aboard the Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 Wilde Rush (CYCA) were too good, winning Full-Female Crew (spinnaker) Division 1.

Clipper Round the World Race winner Wendy Tuck and her team on the J24 Pacatak (CYCA) raced home to win Full-Female Crew (spinnaker) Division 2.

Female Skipper divisions

After dominating the racecourse all day and claiming line honours, Liz Charles and her team on the Azuree 46 Kayimai (MHYC) held on to win Female Skipper (spinnaker) Division 1. Female Skipper (spinnaker) Division 2 was claimed by Alex Murray and team aboard the Melges 24 Accru (RANSA).

Racing without a spinnaker, Bridget Canham and her team aboard the Payne 38 It Happens (CYCA) came home to win the Female Skipper (non-spinnaker) Division.

Click here for full results.

SHWKS will conclude Sunday 28 March with Race 4, the MYC Women’s Challenge.

Women’s sailing will once again be in the spotlight this year with CYCA’s Women’s Winter Series, commencing 18 April 2021. The Women’s Winter Series forms part of the immensely-popular CYCA Winter Series and showcases women skippers over three races held at the start, middle and end of the Winter Series. Click here for more information.

Photos: Marg Fraser-Martin