From the Bow of YKnot
Racing at the Port Douglas Race Week 2026
For those who haven’t sailed it, this is a five-day annual event that runs right alongside the massive Port Douglas Carnivale. While the tourists are packing Macrossan Street for the parade and fireworks, we were out on the Coral Sea battling it out for the iconic Clipper Cup.
I was lucky enough to be on board Y Knot for this event, working the bow. We went into the week with high hopes, and with a mix of champagne sailing and survival conditions, the Coral Sea delivered absolutely everything.
You never really know what you’re going to get with a May regatta in the tropics. The schedule promised passage races around the stunning Low Isle and Snapper Island, plus some technical buoy racing off the famous Four Mile Beach.
The first day? Glass. We had extremely light conditions, which meant the race committee had to shorten the course just to get us to the finish . It was slow, hot work on the bow, trying to squeeze every inch of boat-speed out of Y Knot. We managed to pull it together, though, winning the very first race of the regatta. It felt good to put a “1” on the scoreboard early.
But don’t let that gentle start fool you. The moment the first day was done, Mother Nature flicked a switch. For the rest of the series, the south-east trade winds roared in at 15 to 25 knots. Suddenly, we weren’t sunbathing; we were hanging on. Sailing upwind past the Low Isles with 25 knots of breeze and the top of the rig trying to kiss the water is why we do this. It was full-gas racing.
Everyone wants their name on that trophy. Last year’s winner, Charm Offensive (skippered by James Permezel), came back to defend, but there was a changing of the guard this year.
After years of competing in this event, Frank and Wendy Brace on board Time Out have finally done it. They sailed an incredibly consistent series in the tough conditions to claim 1st place and the bragging rights that come with the Clipper Cup. I was entertained on board Time Out as guests of Frank and Wendy one evening with cold drinks, sailing stories, and genuine Far North Queensland warmth that I won’t soon forget. Congratulations on your win.
Second place went to Matilda V, skippered by Gary Donnellan, while Charm Offensive had to settle for 3rd this time around.
As for Y Knot? We had that moment of glory on Day 1, but consistency is the name of the game in a five-day series. We fought hard, but we ultimately finished with 6th place overall in Division 1. It wasn’t the podium finish we wanted, but on a tough week, staying in the mix and pushing the leaders is all you can ask for.
While the racing is serious, the social aspect at the Port Douglas Yacht Club is great. I have to give a massive thank you to the hospitality of the PDYC. Not only do they run a tight ship on the race management side, but the vibe at the clubhouse afterward is always welcoming.
Blogs
North by Northwest
Pinned in Nelly Bay by the south-east trades, we waited four days before heading north aboard YKnot, a Hanse 430. What followed was 199 nautical miles of downwind sailing — island anchorages, unexpected hospitality at Dunk, a sea turtle at Fitzroy, and a tide-dependent entry into Port Douglas. The difficult days are always worth it.
ORCV Coastal Sprint #3
Sam Backwell’s first ocean race. Six yachts crossing ahead of an inbound cargo ship. Ginan sweeping all three handicap divisions. The third ORCV Coastal Sprint packed a full season’s worth of sailing into 27 nautical miles off the Mornington Peninsula — and Shimmer was right in the thick of it.
Luxury cruising
Some boats are built for the marina. Others are built to move. Shooting Baruch — a 2019 Nautitech 542 — for Inspire Marine, it was clear from the first frame which one she is. Fast, refined, and strikingly photogenic, she’s a French multihull design that earns its reputation both offshore and at anchor.
Salt
On Salt, a 2021 Solaris 50, I sailed as bow person with James Marshall and Ian Fankhanel. Festival of Sails 2026 saw us win Division 1, thanks to a skilled team including tactician, navigator, and Peter Dowdney. Aaron Cole added sail expertise, highlighting how experience and teamwork make a high-performance yacht excel.
Shimmer
Shimmer, beautifully maintained by Steve Twentyman, is sailed regularly from Safety Beach Sailing Club. With a versatile sail inventory including J0, Code 0, and asymmetric spinnakers, I’ve gained experience across bow, trimming, and helming roles. Calm leadership and preparation make her a reliable platform for club racing, ORCV coastal events, and Category 2 offshore races.
S2H 2025
White Spirit – 80th Rolex Sydney to Hobart
I completed the 2025 Rolex Sydney to Hobart as 2IC and Navigator aboard White Spirit (Beneteau First 50), skippered by Cyrus Allen. Responsible for routing, weather analysis and sail strategy, I supported the helm and watches through a demanding, multi-system offshore race.
Cabbage Tree Island Race
As part of White Spirit’s Hobart preparation, I helmed through extreme conditions in the Cabbage Tree Island Race, sailing into a rapidly building southerly front with apparent winds peaking at 74 knots. The execution and boat handling through the system resulted in my appointment as Second in Command for Hobart.
Airlie Beach Race Week 2025
Airlie Beach Race Week tested sail handling, coordination, and timing across long island legs. On Y Knot, managing the bow meant staying ahead of multiple sail changes under shifting trade-wind breezes. The combination of fast offshore conditions, complex courses, and a skilled crew made it an intense and rewarding experience.
Magnetic Island Race Week 2025
YKnot’s performance demanded anticipation, precise sail transitions, and constant awareness on the bow. The warm waters, trade winds, and tight fleet kept everyone alert, while the relaxed island atmosphere ashore highlighted why offshore racing is as much about people and experience as it is speed.
Cartouche
Cartouche – Beneteau First 50 (RBYC)
I’ve sailed regularly aboard Cartouche, a Beneteau First 50 owned by Steven Fahey, across club racing, ORCV events and major regattas. Racing within a family-run team sharpened my big-boat awareness and offshore readiness, while reinforcing consistency, preparation and calm decision-making across varied conditions.
Scarlet Runner
Delivering Scarlet Runner back to Melbourne with owner and skipper Rob Date after the Melbourne–Hobart Westcoaster was a masterclass in offshore seamanship. A demanding Bass Strait crossing shifted the focus from racing to judgement, restraint, and boat care, highlighting the balance between performance and protection that defines successful offshore sailing.
Australian Yachting Championships (IRC)
Racing on Tenacity in the 2025 Australian Yachting Championships tested precision and teamwork on Hobart’s Derwent. Handling halyards and sail changes as mast person, I experienced the split-second decision-making, calm control, and clear communication required to keep a high-performance Mills 41 moving efficiently through shifting river breezes.