Over 70 yachts will take to the water this Sunday 6 April for the Ladies Day Race, which is sailed in conjunction with the Great Veterans Race, and marks the opening of the Audi Winter Series 2008. Ladies Day sees women skipper yachts to compete for the Jill McLay Trophy. All of the yachts sailing will also be participating in the Audi Winter Series 2008.

One of the up and coming lady skippers sailing on Sunday will be Amanda Scrivenor. Amanda is a CYCA Youth Sailing Academy success story. Having sailed with her family for most of her life, Amanda came to the Youth Sailing Academy in 2007 after her family moved to Sydney from Melbourne. She was part of the Advanced Match Racing squad and had successful regattas in New Zealand (2nd), Malaysia (1st) and placing 3rd in the Australian Women’s Nationals and Australian Open.

On Sunday, Amanda will skipper X3, which she has crewed on since arriving in Sydney. “Ladies Day gives me the opportunity to see what sailing’s like from the other side…having sailed on a yacht as crew all season, when an opportunity comes up to steer the yacht…. It’s a great experience,” said Amanda.

Amanda completed her 1st Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 2007 aboard Wot Next and is looking forward to qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics, when match racing will be included for the first time.

Other yachts participating in Ladies Day include AFR Midnight Rambler, skippered by Susan Psaltis & Vivenne Rockell; Out of Sight with Lisa Wilkinson at the helm; Occasional Coarse Language skippered by Sarah Goddard-Jones, Limit with Sally Gordon at the helm, Patrice 6 skippered by Victoria Kellet, Nerone with Cathy Ridulfo skippering, Bitter & Twisted with Olivia Price and Never a Dull Moment with Denise Wilson in charge.

Last year’s winner Grace Franki (who was only 10 years old at the time of her win) will again be competing on Sunday, skippering Saltshaker to see if she can defend her title.

“We are continually seeing strong women sailors coming through the ranks of the Youth Sailing Academy. Events like this provide the opportunity for women to take the reins of some magnificent yachts and showcase their prowess on water to their male counterparts,” said Justine Kirkjian, CYCA Sailing Manager.

The Audi Winter Series opening day is on Sunday, 6 April. The winter pointscore series starts the following Sunday, 13 April, with 14 pointscore races for eight spinnaker, two non-spinnaker and a Sydney 38OD division. There are currently 140 block entries for the Audi Winter Series with more expected, and casual entries will join as the season progresses.  Those wishing to be in the pointscore must block enter before race 4. – Jennifer Crooks