Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron hosted the Women's Sportsboat Sprint Series for the third year last weekend!  The event attracted eight teams from Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.  Sailors had the option to BYO J/70 or use a supplied J/70 which were a combination of Blairgowrie’s Club J/70’s as well as boats supplied by very generous owners Tony Langren and Martin Kudnig.

Race officer Glenys Hitchen was hoping to run at least 10 races on both Saturday and Sunday for the series of short, sharp windward-leeward racing.  The weather was not cooperative.  After three races in 5-6 knots the breeze dropped out completely and racing eventually had to be abandoned for the day.  The racing that was held was tight with seconds seperating boat finishes.

Saturday night the club hosted a dinner to celebrate International Women’s Day.  Former Australian Sailing Board member interviewed the guest panel including aspiring Olympian and ICLA 6 sailor Casey Imeneo, National Mino Champion and now international match racing sailor Gemma Burns and world taser champion Bronwyn Ridgway.

The start time was bought forward for Sunday morning however the BOM’s gale warning issued at 5:10am thwarted those plans.  Unfortunately, eventually racing was also abandoned on Sunday.

Congratulations to Team Derwent Sailing Squadron on their victory, skippered by Alice Buchanan with crew Claire Cunningham, Amy Potter, and Chloe Fisher aboard Spike.

Second place went to Auretta, skippered by Allie McLennan with crew Zara Challis, Lulu Di Sciascio, and Brooke Robson from Sandringham Yacht Club.

Third place was claimed by Team Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, skippered by Karyn Gojnich with crew Alexandra Birrell, Dee Mason, and Zoe Heffernan aboard Jumpin’ Jack Flash.

The Rising Star Award was presented to Maw Civilized, skippered by Georgina Plumridge, with crew Lisa Rollinson, Tamzin Rollason, Annabelle Waldron, and Kirsten Binns Smith from Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron.

 Thanks to Regatta Director Felicia Brown and BYS Head of Sailing Michelle de Blaquiere for coordinating the event.

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