Set the Sails High: A Record-Breaking 2025 Edition of Sail Port Stephens is on the Horizon

Sail Port Stephens 2025 may have just over five weeks before its commencement, but the buzz of anticipation is already palpable. The event has experienced 18 straight years of demand and growth, and all signs are pointing towards another record year. Banners proclaiming ‘House Full’ are expected to fly over local marinas once again when the popular Passage Series begins on March 31.

Stepping into 2025, two new marquis events have been added to the Performance Series calendar. The ‘Super RC’ division and the InterClub 40 Series promise to add a blue-ribbon sheen to the exciting lineup. The Super RC will welcome owners and crews of yachts over 53ft in length, demanding high IRC rating requirements and a striking backdrop of Nelson Bay and the islands of Port Stephens.

Another major change for 2025 is that the action will primarily unfold inshore on the Salamander Bay course, offering a refreshing shift from offshore racing. The regatta includes the prestigious NSW Yachting Championships, Act 3 of the TP52 Pallas Capital Gold Cup, and the Rob Hampshire Cup, presenting opportunities for boats to compete simultaneously in both the NSW Yachting Championship and Rob Hampshire Trophy.

The third part of Sail Port Stephens, running from May 2-4, invites off-the-beach classes, one-design keelboats, and trailerable sports boats to the Bay Series. From Australian Sports Boat Association’s NSW title to dinghy classes featuring RS Aeros, Finns, OKs, 5o5s, and also an Open Division for one- and two-handed classes, there’s a spot in the series for every sailor.

In terms of accessibility, past competitors will note the relocation of the Regatta Centre and Race Office, which is now conveniently situated in the forecourt of d’Albora Marina Nelson Bay. Sail Port Stephens 2025 is setting sail on a new wave of sailing extravaganza, calmly catching the wind for a record-breaking journey.