For the first time since its inception in 1987, the Manly Junior Team Racing Trophy has been won by an all-girl team from Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club!

The Manly Junior Teams Racing regatta on Sunday 21^st October was the second year running since 2005, after the trophy was apparently lost in a boat shed for over 10 years. Hosted by Balmoral Sailing Club, the day was a fantastic setting for the 28 Manly Juniors competing in nine teams of three boats each. The Nine teams were made up of boats from Balmoral Sailing Club, Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Sailing Club, Middle Harbour 16ft Skiff Club, and Port Kembla Sailing Club.

Traditionally the Teams event consists of a “N” shaped course with a start and finish boat at each end. The Racing was managed by everyone’s favourite PRO (Principle Race Officer) Col Chidgey! Unfortunately, Col is moving on from his Race Office role, and he will be greatly missed. We cannot thank Col enough for the tireless work he has put into these regattas over the years.  

The starting sequence for the 36 races was a rolling 3-minute count-down which provided lots of excitement for both experienced and novice crews. There were several starts close to being a general recall, and plenty carnage on the course for the less experienced crews who were getting blown flat in front of the start boat and around marks at times throughout the day.

The day was tough for the crews at the pointy end of the competition ladder, but in the end it was the all-girl team from Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club that won the regatta undefeated! This was a special moment for the Manly girls as it is the first time that an all-female team has ever won the Manly Junior Team Racing Trophy! 

The Sportsmanship award was presented to Theo & Chloe Franklin (2776 “Twin Turbo”) from Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club. 

Thank you to Balmoral for hosting the event and all the parents who volunteered their Sunday to provide support on-shore and on-water. The crews are eager to participate again, so we will wait and see what is in store for next year.

Final Results:

1^st – Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club ‘Pink’ - “Another Dark & Stormy” (Sophie Hart / Bella Divola), “Go With The Flow” (Jemma Hopkins / Leni Bombelli), “Into The West” (Lilly / Pippa Springett).

2^nd – Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club ‘Green’

3^rd – Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club ‘Blue’

4^th – Balmoral Sailing Club

5^th – Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club ‘Red’

6^th – Hornsby Ku-rin-gai Sailing Club ‘Team 2’

7^th – Hornsby Ku-rin-gai Sailing Club ‘Team 1’

8^th – Hornsby Ku-rin-gai Sailing Club / Port Kembla Sailing Club

9^th – Middle Harbour 16ft Skiff Sailing Club

View the full results breakdown here >

Report from Mike Franklin

Pictures from Port Kembla Sailing Club, Andrew 'Dolly' Divola & Mike Franklin