One of the largest Winter Women’s Series fleets on record turned out on Sunday as the post-COVID-19 sailing season began. Sixty-three starters made it out on to Sydney Harbour to enjoy the first race from the Club after months of solitude.
It was an exciting day for the crew on Whistling Kite as Nicola Wakefield Evans skippered her first CYCA race and claimed second place in Division 2.
“It was fantastic racing! This weekend was the first race that I had skippered at the CYCA. I was very excited but also a bit nervous at the start with all the other large yachts around in the mixed fleet,” said Wakefield Evans.
The entrants were met with light westerly breezes off the start which continued as they made their way around the harbour course. Towards the later hours of the day, some ominous clouds developed as the wind slowly swung around towards the south with rain catching some of the fleet in the final stages of their racing experience.
“The conditions were lovely, the boat went really well and we were able to finish strong as the breeze strengthened going past Shark Island. We also had some new sails on board which may have helped,” said Wakefield Evans.
It was a family affair with husband Kym Evans and sons Tom, Mitch and Riley Evans were on board with Kate Lorimer and Mike Bellingham.
This race was the first of a two-race series with the second and final race taking part on Sunday 23 August, marking the end of the Winter Series. Next week will be the first of the 10-race Winter Series with even more entrants expected to take part.
More information on the series can be found by clicking here.
This week’s divisional placegetters:
| Division | Boat | Skipper |
| Div 1 (non-spin) | ||
| 1st | Finn | Janey Treleaven |
| 2nd | Outlaw | Jess Angus |
| 3rd | Huntress | Kate McGregor |
| Div 2 (non-spin) | ||
| 1st | It Happens | Bridget Canham |
| 2nd | Whistling Kite | Nicola Wakefield Evans |
| 3rd | Calibre | Kathleen Stroinovsky |
| Div 3 (non-spin) | ||
| 1st | Krakatoa | Jennifer Barker |
| 2nd | Star Ferry | John Conroy |
| 3rd | Highway Patrol | Jane McCullough |
| Div 4 (non-spin) | ||
| 1st | Zara | John Griffin |
| 2nd | Eau Well | Elaine Mostert |
| 3rd | Shorething | James Butler |
