The first SheSkippers Regatta was held on Valentines Day, February 14th which was hosted by Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto as a SheSails event.

This regatta heralded the start of Lakefest and what a way to to start! Women with varying levels of experience and with big hearts took up the helms of the twenty four boats that entered and battled 17 to 24 knot winds in a variety of boat designs.

The day’s events started with a themed Valentines Day sign on where the women had the opportunity to meet each other. Participants came from Newcastle and all around Lake Macquarie so it was a great opportunity for the girls to get together with their crews. 

Racing was challenging and exhilarating which was evident back at the packed Mariners Bar where the BBQ and presentations took place, along with some well earned drinks. 

Congratulations to Kimberly Russell for her 1st place on Foxy a Lynx 8.8 which flew around the course. 2nd place went to Indigo II, a Marten 49 helmed by Sue Dawes and 3rd place and our youngest helms woman at the age of 17 was Emily Fatches on Cool Change, a Cavalier 11.3.            

$1200 was raised from the regatta and this will go directly to the Heaven Can Wait, another one of our great regattas which raises funds for The Cancer Council. We thank our incredible sponsors, Patrick from Newcastle Sails and Rigging, Steve from Austeden Fabrications and Brett from Tyrepower Toronto.

Girls, we look forward to seeing you all next year along with our friends from outside the lake who couldn’t safely get their boats through the channel this year.

Article credit: Wendy Watson