LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB
WOMEN’S SAILING AT LMYC
For over 90 years, Lake Macquarie Yacht Club (LMYC) has supported women in sailing & mixed crews are common at LMYC. The first women’s trophy, proudly displayed in the club trophy cabinet, was presented in 1930.
Our club annually includes a Lady Skipper Series (6 races) in our Friday Twilight races & awards the Lady Sailor of the Year trophy at our annual presentation night.
Winner of Lady Skipper Series 2022-2023
Penny Meakins with Club Captain Eleanor Cunningham
LMYC Lady Sailor of the Year 2022-2023
Melissa Frankiewicz with Club Captain Eleanor Cunningham
Winner of the Lady Skipper Series 2020-2021
Lateisha Bower with Commodore Geoff Edman
LMYC Lady Sailor of the Year 2020-2021
Karen Croxon with Commodore Geoff Edman
LMYC Lady Sailor of the Year 2021-2022
Kylie Parker with Rear Commodore Steve Ford & Club Captain Eleanor Cunningham
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
SheSAILS was an original initiative developed by Jan Howard & Mary Holley at Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NCYC). Fittingly, Jan & Mary’s commitment to women’s sailing was acknowledged by AS when their program was adopted nationally.
More information about SheSAILS at NCYC is found here: https://www.ncyc.net.au/sailing/shesails/
Jan Howard & Mary Holley
FOR A LITTLE INSPIRATION
Australian Sailing – She Sails (Sponsored by Hamilton Island)
https://www.shesails.org.au
The Magenta Project – Women sailing in major international events
https://www.themagentaproject.org
Lisa Blair Sails the World
https://lisablairsailstheworld.com
‘Maiden’ – first all female crew to compete in the Whitbread Around the World Yacht Race
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQyAHWkeIho
Sailing Elliott 6m WMR Gold Final – Australia v Spain Full Replay – London 2012 Olympics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlJlkuLUFQY
Winter Series 2021 – our first all-female crew
A few of our LMYC Lady Skippers
PREVIOUS EVENTS
Lake Macquarie Yacht Club She Sails
Tri-Series Regatta – Race 1 2025
The first of three races in the Lake Macquarie She Sails Regatta was held on Sunday 12th January 2025, hosted by LMYC.
As crews started arriving for registration and briefing, it was lovely to see friends catching up with each other. A total of 20 boats participated in the race and it was fantastic that, for the first time, all boats had at least 50% female crew, including a female helm. In addition, there were 8 all female crews, a record number for this regatta. Boats and crew came from Wangi, Toronto, Croudace Bay, Newcastle and RANSA as well as many from LMYC. There were 122 sailors competing with 93 (76.2%) being female, with all levels of experience represented, from National Champions and ocean racers to newly graduated sailors from our Discover Sailing Centre.
The race was sailed in a strong 17 knot ENE with gusts up to 25 knots, providing challenging conditions for all competitors. It was very pleasing that all boats finished and there was a lot of laughter and chatter that the presentation of the race.
The race was won by ‘Konan the Bavarian‘, Skippered by Jo Gomboso from Croudace Bay. Jo also took out the prize for Best Performed All Female Crew. ‘Dreamweaver‘, Skippered by Sue Vila from Wangi, was second, ‘Challenge‘, Skippered by Vicki Gorman from Toronto, was third, while ‘Equinox‘, Skippered by Eleanor Cunningham, was the best placed LMYC boat coming in 5th.
Many thanks must go to our Race Officers, Ross and Peter, and our Sailing Manager, Simon, for ensuring that the She Sails Regatta got off to a great start! We look forward to the second race at Wangi on 23rd February and the final race at Toronto on 16th March.
Article Credit – Antonia Patterson
Photo Credit: Marg’s Yacht Photos
Lake Macquarie Yacht Club She Sails
Tri-Series Regatta – Race 1 2024
The first race in the Lake Macquarie combined clubs SheSails series was held on Sunday 14th January hosted by Lake Macquarie Yacht Club. We had representatives from all clubs on the lake plus NCYC and RANSA.
It was a great day on the water with 18 yachts competing in 2 Divisions. There were 15 boats with more than 50% women crewing, with 2 boats having all women crews and a number of others having an owner’s representative on board. A total of 70 women competed, a very impressive number.
The race was sailed under overcast skies with a gentle south easterly breeze providing some challenging racing conditions. After race lunch and get together provided a great opportunity for networking and swapping stories. Overall, the day was an outstanding success.
Article Credit – Antonia Patterson
Photo Credit: Marg’s Yacht Photos
Lake Macquarie Yacht Club She Sails
Tri-Series Regatta – Race 1 2023
On Sunday the 15th of January 2023, LMYC hosted the first race of the SheSails Tri-Series Regatta. It was a fabulous day for sailing and with more than 6 all-women crew.
First place – ‘Excessive’, Skippered by Antonia Patterson
Second place – ‘The Shed’, Skippered by Kylie Parker
Third place – ‘Flying Colours’, Skippered by Susan Browne
Thank you to all the participants and sponsors for such a great event.
