News

Newsletter, 18th November 2025

Published Tue 18 Nov 2025

In case you missed it, the ABC published a thought-provoking story on 18 November revisiting the 1998 Sydney to Hobart tragedy: Lost at sea: The harrowing hours of the deadliest Sydney to Hobart race. It’s a powerful reminder of how quickly conditions on the water can change, and of the essential role that preparedness, teamwork and calm leadership play in keeping sailors safe — themes reflected in events at our own club this month.

From the Commodore

Rescue on the River

On Sunday 9 November, NSW Rowing attempted to run the Iron Cove Classic around Cockatoo Island. Unfortunately, strong gusts blew in from the west causing multiple boats to capsize and the event to be cancelled. Unable to be righted on the water, several boats required towing to shore and the crews were brought onto RIBs.

Three club instructors sprang into action to assist, and we’ve received multiple emails from the affected rowing clubs, as well as the CEO of Rowing NSW, expressing gratitude for their help. Congratulations to Etta Vowles, Logan Van Katwyk and Sophie Borner-Harrison for your efforts on the day and for showcasing the club spirit.

Instructors save the day 📸 Nic Lawson

Melissa Ashton-Garard, CEO of Rowing NSW, wrote:

On behalf of Rowing NSW, thank you for your prompt assistance at Iron Cove on Sunday. Your club’s support and helping manage affected boats was much appreciated by our officials and participants.

We value the cooperation between our sports and are grateful for your help in ensuring participant safety and a steady response when conditions deteriorated.

Thanks again for your practical support. We look forward to working with you in the future.

Congratulations NSW ILCA 2025 State Champions

Congratulations to:

Sylvie Stannage – first overall and first female ILCA 6
Zac Howell – first overall and first under 16 ILCA 4.7
Harper Spacey – 3rd overall in ILCA 4.7 and first female

Well done to everyone who competed and assisted at Wangi RSL Sailing Club throughout the weekend.

Sylvie Stannage ILCA 6 NSW State Champion 📸 Craig Ryan

Zac Howell 2025 ILCA 4.7 NSW State Champion and Harper Spacey 3rd overall 📸 Craig Ryan

Club Racing

Conditions have been challenging over the past few weeks, but we’ve managed to get some racing in for both the Optimist and ILCA fleets, with good numbers of boats on the water and a growing group of volunteers helping to run racing.

HHSC_Season_2025-2026_Calendar.xlsx

Results - Hunters Hill Sailing Club

Learn2Sail

Learn2Sail fleet 📸 Belle Parker

Teens and Tweens 📸 Belle Parker

Keen for your sailor to attend one of the upcoming camps? Please register early to avoid missing out, as several groups are already close to capacity.

Please make sure you are logged into your sailor’s club account to access members' pricing. If you have any issues, contact:learn2sail@huntershillsailingclub.org.au

Upcoming Learn2Sail Camps

All holiday camps and Try Sailing sessions are now open for registration via: Events - Hunters Hill Sailing Club

Camp Schedule:
• Monday 8 – Friday 12 December 2025 (Teens & Tweens only)
• Saturday 20 – Tuesday 23 December 2025
• Monday 12 – Friday 16 January 2026
• Monday 19 – Friday 23 January 2026

Please help us promote our Learn2Sail and Teens & Tweens programs by sharing this flyer through your school, sports and community networks:

Try Sailing Sessions
Free sessions on Saturdays, 9:00–11:00am on:

Links above are Facebook Events - please like and share with your networks.

Optimist Fleet

Teams training 📸 Alessio/Rebecca

It’s all hands on deck for our Opti fleet as we prepare to host the NSW Team Racing Championship on 30 November. The club is proudly carrying a two-year winning streak in both Open and Intermediate divisions, and our sailors have been training hard.

The Intermediates have been learning team racing fundamentals, while the Opens have been refining techniques and team dynamics. There has been plenty of fun — and the usual team racing chaos — along the way.

We will be entering four teams this year: 2× Open and 2× Intermediate.

With Coach Matt away with the Australian Sailing Team in IQ Foil, we welcomed new coach Daniel, joining us from Singapore with a strong Opti background including two Asian Championship titles and a 15th at the World Championships.

Club Championships – Round 2

Despite tricky wind conditions, RO Kevin managed to get one solid race completed.

Congratulations to Luca, Emma and Alex for taking out the podium places — with an especially tight battle for third, as Alex held off Sijia and Tom right on the finish line.

Well done to all our Green Fleet sailors — great to see everyone finishing the race.

Thank you to all volunteers.

Ronstan Junior Foiling Cup

This weekend, four of our Open sailors will be racing at Woollahra Sailing Club. Wishing Sijia, Luca, Kirra and Emma all the best — it’s shaping up to be a fast and exciting event.

Next Big Regatta – SORS

The Summer Optimist Regatta (SORS) at Georges River Sailing Club is coming up: 13–15 December.

It’s a major event for all fleets, especially the Green Fleet, which will race Saturday and Sunday. SORS is also ideal preparation for Nationals.

If you plan to attend, please join the WhatsApp group for logistics: SORS Group

Stay Connected
Follow the Opti action on instagram and Facebook The updated NSWIODA website includes regatta dates, photos, links and resources. Stay up to date on all NSW Opti activity via the state group chat.

ILCA Fleet

Zac Howell, Sophie Borner Harrison, Sylvie Stannage and Jason Borner competed at the ILCA NSW States at Wangi RSL Amateur Sailing Club - and what a weekend it was.

Day 1 offered glamour conditions:
• Race 1 in 13–16 knots
• Race 2 gusting to 20 knots
• Race 3 beginning fresh before easing

Zac posted 2, 1, 1 to secure 1st overall in ILCA 4, especially once Day 2 was abandoned. Sylvie delivered 2, 1, 2 to take the ILCA 6 title.

Day 2 brought almost no breeze. After multiple abandoned starts and hours of drifting, the race committee eventually called it off - only for perfect wind to appear just as the fleet returned to shore.

Individual highlights:
• Sophie placed 40th, finding the breeze challenging but learning a great deal and eager for the next event.
• Jason experienced equipment failures, including a snapped tiller extension in Race 1 and another breakage in Race 3 - a true test of perseverance.

Thanks to Commodore Ben for on-water support and for driving the rib to Wangi.

Zac Howell 📸 Supplied

Sylvie Stannage 📸 Supplied

Monarch of the River

This Sunday is the Monarch of the River regatta. All ILCA sailors are encouraged to participate. We will meet at the club and sail together to Greenwich.

High School Sailing

It was another fantastic Tuesday afternoon for our High School program - because why sit in a classroom at 2pm if you can be on the water?