The Sail Port Stephens Commodore’s Cup 2026, held from 13–18 May, delivered an outstanding week of racing. A strong fleet and excellent weather set the tone, with light but consistent breezes early on, building to steady winds and sunshine through to the finish. Conditions like these are hard to beat, and the Jeanneau fleet made the most of it, with crews thoroughly enjoying the competition.
There were some standout performances with the Sun Fast 37 Midnight’s Promise claiming victory in Division 3 under ORC. Congratulations to Peter, Tanya and crew on a well-earned result.
Daily Jeanneau medals for the first two races were presented during the Rendezvous owners’ function on Tuesday evening, with the remaining awards distributed ahead of the official series prize-giving. The perpetual Jeanneau Cup and final standings were announced at the event’s closing ceremony.
Tuesday night’s function, held on the waterfront at Café at the Bay, was a highlight, drawing 62 attendees. Guests enjoyed great food and wine courtesy of Performance Boating while catching up with fellow crews. First-time participants were welcomed, including the Sun Odyssey 349 Bluebottle and the new Sun Odyssey 350 Argos. Spot prizes added to the fun, making it a memorable evening for all.
Throughout the regatta, Jeanneau yachts featured prominently in the results. The Sun Odyssey 440 Ca Va opened strongly with a Division win in Race 1. Race 3 proved particularly successful, with Midnight’s Promise taking out Division 3, Argos securing 2nd in Division 4, and the Sun Odyssey 349 Elysium finishing 3rd in the non-spinnaker division. In Race 4, the Sun Odyssey 39i Slac N Off won Division 4, while Bluebottle achieved 3rd place in both Races 4 and 5.
A historic moment came this year with the first ever back-to-back winner of the Jeanneau Cup. The Sun Odyssey 349 Elysium, sailed by John de Meur and Aki Hirata, successfully defended its title with consistently strong performances across the series.
The final Jeanneau Cup standings were:
1st Elysium (Sun Odyssey 349) John de Meur and Aki Hirata
2nd Bluebottle (Sun Odyssey 349) Sean Divine
3rd Midnight’s Promise (Sun Fast 37) Peter and Tanya Graham
Congratulations to all competitors in this must-do event on the NSW sailing calendar.
For more information, visit www.performanceboating.com.au
By Lee Condell
Photos courtesy of Sail Port Stephens
