The rain cleared to present a cracker of a day on the harbour for the Helly Hansen Women’s Keelboat Challenge hosted by Manly Yacht Club on Sunday 22 March. It was the seventh and final race of the 2025/26 Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series.
MWF Kayle leads the way – Marg’s Yacht Photos pic.
Although light, the wind proved just enough for the fleet of 30 to complete the course, which was shortened by one leg as conditions continued to dissipate.
Mondo won on both scratch and PHS – Marg’s Yacht Photos pic.
Casual entry Lisa Callaghan’s Sydney 38 Mondo followed up its highly successful 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart campaign with another win. The all-women crew placed first on PHS in Division 1, closely followed by Summit King 40 Jambo (Stephanie Cook) in second and Adams 10 Sirius (Kate Leeson) in third.
The Jambo crew in action – Marg’s Yacht Photos pic.
CYCA yacht Bashford Etchells Total Nuisance (Jenny Danks) claimed the win on PHS in Division 2, with Far East 28R Cool Runnings (Jade Tokarczyk) in second and J24 Ace (Rhoslyn Humphreys) in third.
It Happens had a successful 2025/26 SHWKS campaign – Marg’s Yacht Photos pic.
CYCA yachts shone in the Overall results. In Division 1, Beneteau First 40 Blink (Ashleigh Larkin) took out Overall PHS, with Payne 38 It Happens (Bridget Canham) in second and Adams 10 Sirius (Kate Leeson) out of Manly Yacht Club in third. CYCA yachts Local Hero (Dinah Eagle), Whistling Kite (Nicola Wakefield Evans) and Bandit (Katie O’Mara) finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
Bandit was first all-women crew Overall and Blink the first woman helm.
The Kaotic crew attempt to keep the boat going in the light winds – Marg’s Yacht Photos pic.
In Division 2, the modified Swarbrick S80 Alcamy (Ruth Lawrence) won Overall, with Swanson Dart Melody (Marike) in second and J24 Kaotic (Catherine Thornton-Rofe) in third.
Sailors reconvened at Manly Yacht Club to celebrate another successful Sydney Series.
Results: app.sailsys.com.au/club/27/results/series/5108/races
