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WOMEN’S STATE KEELBOAT CHAMPIONSHIPS
30TH ANNIVERSARY REGATTA
WOMEN’S STATE KEELBOAT CHAMPIONSHIPS
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THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY REGATTA for the Women’s State Keelboat Championships was held by Swan River Sailing at FSC off South Beach in Fremantle. This was the first time we sailed the Foundation 36 keelboats on the ocean and we were expecting some very challenging conditions.
Given the expected forecast, we knew it was going to be an ambitious schedule to fit in the allocated seven races. Eight teams competed and were represented by five yacht clubs with over 50 talented female sailors.
Racing began in an unpredictable 10 knots, shifting quickly to the south-west by the second race. These changes were going to bring a rapid increase in the wind and wave state, which would deliver some incredibly physical conditions to sail in for all teams on the course. Racing became a battle to see who could hike the hardest upwind and keep the boat stable downwind as we raced with a reef in the main, jib and no spinnakers. We safely sailed 5 races before wind strengths reached over 32 knots later that afternoon.
RFBYC was represented by two very talented female teams, Marlee Racing skippered by Sandy Anderson and Akamai Race Team skippered by Lucy Alderson. Sandy Anderson and Marlee Racing were the previous winners of the State Championships held at RFBYC earlier this year. Sandy Anderson and her team sailed very consistently throughout the day placing 6th overall. Lucy Alderson and Akamai Race Team finished the day with 4 out of 5 race wins placing 1st overall. The highlight of the day was race 3 where the RFBYC teams showed their dominance with Akamai Race Team placing 1st and Marlee Racing placing 2nd.
RFBYC have taken home the State Championship trophy for three consecutive years and a total of eight wins over 30 years. Congratulations to the previous winners of the State Championships from RFBYC including Trish Ford, Adele Jackson, Alison McKay, Sandy Anderson and their respective teams for their continuous encouragement towards female participation in sailing.
Thank you to RFBYC for their support and for providing outstanding women’s sailing pathways which allow us to improve our skills and have fun on the water. We are excited for the next battle at the 2022 Womens State Keelboat Championships in March.
