Having built Sail Port Stephens into one of the nation's premier yachting events, regatta organisers are now looking to replicate the same successful formula for dinghy, skiff, catamaran and sailboard racing.
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A full off-the-beach regatta will be held for junior and open divisions in all classes at Bay Sailing Centre in Salamander Bay on April 24-25 as part of the Sail Port Stephens, which returns April 19-25.
"Sail Port Stephens started in 2007 with just 25 yachts, a far cry from the 160 entries received for our last regatta in 2019. Once again we're at absolute full capacity for marina berths and moorings in 2021," race director Jennie Hughes said.
"We're aiming to build the off-the-beach component in a similar way, starting from the ground up.
"We've previously held an event for juniors only in one-sail classes like Lasers, O'pen Skiffs and Optimists.
"Opening it up to other classes, and adult sailors, creates more opportunities for families and couples to compete.
"Already the NSW Finn class has expressed interest, and they may bring some boats down from Queensland. We'd love to have them, and I'm looking forward to hearing from other associations as well."
April 24-25 will be the peak weekend for Sail Port Stephens, which will include the NSW IRC Championships.
The iconic Commodores Cup cruising series will open the first three days Sail Port Stephens and will be followed by Port Stephens Trophy events for performance racing and cruising.
Bay Sailing Club, formerly known as the Port Stephens Sailing and Aquatic Club, will host the off-the-beach regatta.
The event is expected to bring together the 'laid-back fun factors' that make Sail Port Stephens so popular with competitors, combined with the professional race management resources of Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, which was granted the lease to Bay Sailing Centre in December 2020.
A number of satellite regattas are also being run at Bay Sailing Centre prior to Sail Port Stephens, including the RS Aero Intergalactic Championship scheduled for March 27-28 and the NS14 Nationals at Easter.
