Helly Hansen Women’s Challenge for the final race of SHWKS 2024

The Helly Hansen flag was hoisted at Manly Yacht Club over the weekend for the 29th anniversary of the Helly Hansen Women’s Challenge. There was a record number of entries for the yacht race on the Sunday with 42 boats listed across the two divisions. Conditions were looking dire in the morning with the fleet bobbing around with no wind in the Sow and Pigs starting area fifteen minutes before the scheduled start time. A call on the radio from maritime announcing a huge tanker coming in the heads created another difficulty for the race committee. As the breeze filled in there was a sigh of relief with the starting gun set to go off at 1pm for division 1 just half an hour later than planned in a moderate easterly breeze. Competition was tight on the start line with boats jockeying for position but both divisions managed a clear start with only one OCS across the fleet despite the outgoing tide pushing boats closer to the line.

The Overall results in Division 1 Bridget Canham took out first place on It Happens with Esprit (Christine Mah) coming in second place and MHYC boat Jambo taking third spot skippered by Stephanie Cook. In Division 2 Catherine Thornton-Rofe came in first place on Kaotic followed by Melody (Marike Koppenol) in second spot and Ace (Tegan Franklin) in third. Tracy Richardson took out first place for Division 1 in the All Female category in her Adams 10, Artemis.

The MYC Women’s Challenge was the fifth and final race of the Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series, now in its third year. The collaboration between Sydney Harbour Clubs CYCA, MHYC, RSYS, RANSA and MYC is now a popular staple amongst the women’s sailing fraternity.

Congratulations to MHYC’s  Katie O'Mara and the crew of Birubi J70 Racing taking the overall win in Division 2 of the female helm. Tracy Richardson and the Artemis crew winning Division 1 of the all female crew. Thanks to the combined efforts of all the clubs hosting this year and a huge round of applause for Marg's Yacht Photos and her great shots out on the course.

We look forward to seeing more boats participate in the series next season.

To view Marg Fraser- Martins photos click the link below.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/rh8tlmhaen6usmovjh5v0/h?rlkey=ztn30p0co70v6qvxipb8ohf84&dl=0

For full results of the HH Women’s Challenge click here https://app.sailsys.com.au/club/23/results/series/3520/races/24190?handicap=5

For the SHWKS click here https://app.sailsys.com.au/club/27/results/series/2715/races