Sunday 11 October 2026 was another perfect day on our spectacular harbour. A fleet of 5 BPYC boats gathered off Clarke Island for the annual Ladies Day race. All boats where helmed by a lady skipper, with the exception of Starfire, which was twohanded and both crew happened to be blokes. Conditions were near perfect, temperatures in the high twenties and a reasonably steady nor'easter. While getting ready for our start we oggled at the gorgeous wooden vintage boats racing the Gaffers Day Regatta organised by the Sydney Amateurs. Our Commodore pulled a surprise course out of his Helly Hansen hat - number 1, Rocky Point - Cannae Point - Shark Island. For some reason we don't seem to do this very often but it turned out perfectly, taking in some of the most beautiful parts of the harbour.

The fleet got off at 13:00 (well Fifth Avenue & Starfire probably more like 13:03 after getting stuck in the lee off Clarke Island). Blue Sky, expertly helmed by Allie Braden, steamed ahead like a freightrain in the general direction of Balmoral, with Moneyspinner in hot pursuit. The fleet dodged the usual speedbumps at Rocky Point (standup paddleboards, fishing boats anchored just off the buoy, etc.) before beating their way up to Cannae Point. Rounding meant a long run all the way back to the finish line and Blue Sky, Moneyspinner, and Fifth Avenue carried their kites all the way. These were also the podium finishes, followed by Conquista and Starfire. Then came the usual debrief in the clubhouse. The commodore struggled to shout over the yodelling of the live one-man band, who doled out unprompted encores, but in the end we all got to congratulate Allie Braden and Blue Sky for a great win.

PLEASE NOTE: the next BPYC race will be on Saturday 24 October. We hope to see you there.