A 20-knot sou’easter propelled a record fleet in record time from Newcastle to Port Stephens on Sunday as part of the feeder race to 2017 Sail Port Stephens.
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The race saw more than 40 yachts crowd the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club start line then enjoy a 22-mile two-sail dash across Stockton Bight in steep 2-3 metre seas.
Lake Macquarie skipper Doug Coulter’s yacht Rogers 46, named Shakti, recovered from a slow start power through the finish line first.
Fellow lake boat Ignition, a Farr 400 owned by Ian Bower, also revelled in the power reaching conditions to finish second across the line.
Sail Port Stephens is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2017 with its biggest ever fleet of grand-prix and high-performance yachts, along with a packed social calendar.
An estimated 900 competitors, sailing aboard around 110 yachts, will take part.
Uniquely for this event, all levels of sailing and age demographics will take part.
The racing also attracts a strong spectator following to the Port’s shoreline.
A mixed fleet of 70 yachts spread across two divisions started three days of lower-key racing on Monday.
Among them will were 15 Jeanneau entries, 14 Beneteaus, seven Northshores and a handful of Hanses.
The racing heat turns up on Friday as the regatta includes an 18-strong NSW IRC Championship fleet with five top TP52s and two Rogers 46s among them.
The National titles for the Australian Sport Boat Association has attracted 21 boats, including six from interstate.
The Super 12 State title division has eight entries, twice that of last year.
Regatta patron Matt Allen, president of governing body Australian Sailing, said there is something unique about Sail Port Stephens.
“I was talking to some people the other day and asked them to name their favourite regatta – most of them said Port Stephens, which is interesting,” he said.
“The sailing waters are among the best in Australia and you get some terrific tactical racing against a good fleet of boats.
“You can also enjoy a couple of beers and have dinner, which brings the friendship and the camaraderie together.
“You’re not that far away from Sydney. But you’re far enough.”
The ‘No Vacancy’ sign is up at d’Albora Marinas in Nelson Bay, regatta central, and at the nearby Anchorage and Soldiers Point marinas.
Sail Port Stephens wraps up on April 9.
The Junior One-Sail event will run April 11 and 12.
