Sail Port Stephens - Day 1 by Mark Rothfield 19 Apr 11:47 UTC 19-25 April 2021
It was a day to clear the rust, but also to show some trust, as Sail Port Stephens turned on a spectacular opening day for the Bannisters Port Stephens Commodores Cup 2021.
Racing on the icon Pub-to-Pub course began in light nor westerlies, allowing an easy run to Shoal Bay, however a mid-race shift to a nor east seabreeze brought the backmarkers right back into contention as they rode the new wind line.
It compressed the fleet of 105 starters, making mark roundings action-packed - especially in the bay overlooked by series sponsor Bannister Port Stephens Resort.
Simply stunning Sail Port Stephens by Nic Douglass 19 Apr 19:00 UTC 19-25 April 2021
Sail Port Stephens got under way today, with over 100 boats setting off under spinnaker on the sparkling waters of Nelson Bay, right off the break wall.
The armada of colour headed East against an incoming tide in a light south-westerly breeze, with a pod of dolphins also joining in at times to enjoy the action.
Live coverage of the Race Start from the Pantaenius Sail & Motor Yacht Insurance Media Boat
As the majority of the fleet were heading West from Shoal Bay to the Soldiers Point mark, the breeze died out and filled in from the Nor East, so once again up went the spinnakers and we were treated to another brilliant sight of the 105-boat fleet parading down to Bannisters Port Stephens across the sparkling water.