From little things, big things grow. A sentiment held by Sandy Anderson and her team from Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and their three-year journey to this year’s Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta, on the waters of Port Phillip Victoria, this weekend. The AWKR isn’t just a race, it is a support network of information, conferences, social events and training sessions culminating in the three days of racing.

A program to not just get women into the sport, but for them to progress and thrive. Three years ago, Mrs Anderson took a chance on a Beneteau 44.4 with seven other ladies. A competent and regular Dragon fleet sailor, last year she stretched her wings and roared home with second in the IRC Division 2 aboard a chartered S80 ‘Imaginer’ with her five crew.

Flying further North to Phuket in 2018, the team chartered a local vessel and enjoyed some heavier weather racing in 20 – 25 knots of breeze against ironically a Fremantle boat, Max Palleschi’s 'Prime Factor'. The ladies came second again, beating their Aussie counterparts on countback.

This year the eight crew have accepted an offer to race an Adams 10.6 named ‘Sunshine’. Practicing twice a week since Easter in preparation. They flew over Thursday, hit the water Friday for some boat familiarisation and last-minute training. Racing begins Saturday and runs till Monday as the Victorians have their Queens Birthday long weekend.

So Sandy, what are the benefits of ladies in sailing and the RFBYC program? “Sailing and growing as a team” Mrs Anderson replied. “Opportunities to race in regattas are not taken up enough by RFBYC women and this program allows the ladies to move between positions till they find their niche” she continued.

“The highlights are being in a team, the buzz from working well together and watching that effort prosper as we work our way through the fleet over the course of the regattas” she concluded.

Who are these adventurous ladies skippered by Sandy Anderson? She is joined by Susan Parker, Debbie Henderson, Jenny Spearman, Natalie Waddell, Lara Moltoni, Christine Hunt and Robyn Johnston.

The ladies encourage all you other women out there to take up the challenge as there is generally no charter fee for boats to race in the AWKR as the owners very generously offer their boats use. All you have to do is get there and enjoy the experience of sailing on one of these yachts in some of the most beautiful locations in the world.

For more on the program visit rfbyc.asn.au or awkr.com.au for event details, photos and results.