2026 Sail Port Stephens Commodores Cup Passage Series Wrap
Image: Sail Port Stephens delivered world-class conditions across five days of racing. Credit: Promocean Media
The following media release has been supplied by Sail Port Stephens and includes final results from the 2026 Commodores Cup Passage Series, shared here for AFLOAT Magazine readers with an interest in sailing regattas Australia and Australian keelboat racing.
2026 Sail Port Stephens Commodores Cup Declared ‘Best Ever’
After five days of competitive but fun racing on the spectacular waterway of Port Stephens and its offshore islands, the final results are in and the divisional winners are celebrating.
The wind gods bestowed a parting favour on the record fleet, summoning a 15-knot southerly breeze that quickly sent Divisions 1 and 2 to their course in Salamander Bay while Divisions 3, 4 and Non-Spinnaker sailed a more traditional course into the western reaches of the huge bay.
Division 1
For the crew of Jambo, Stephanie Cook and Rob Carr’s Summit King 40, it was a matter of ensuring they avoided any major dramas and kept tabs on their nearest rivals in the series point score. They did so and thereby clinched the Division 1 PHS crown for 2026.
“We often use the old saying about roosters to feather dusters,” Cook laughed. “So we were very conscious of that. We’ve only had the boat for two years but we have tweaked it to get where it is. The difference here was we didn’t have any major stuff-ups and no equipment broke.”
Co-owner and husband Rob Carr acknowledged Stephanie’s helming prowess, guiding Jambo around a crowded and tactically challenging racecourse.
“She did a great job. I think we’ve sailed here 10 times but this year’s been the best,” Carr said. “The [race] organisation and the communication has been extremely good. We’ll be back.”
Julian Bell’s consistently well-sailed Beneteau First 50 51st Project secured second in Division 1, with Banter – a Beneteau First 45 from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club – third on a countback from two other boats, reflecting how tight the racing was.
Division 2
Local knowledge and experience can prove the decider at Sail Port Stephens and Barry Kelly and his crew on Concealed Weapon have been sailing his Archambault M34 for over a decade.
“We knew it could go a few ways today so we just decided to sail the boat as hard as we could,” Kelly said after securing Division 2 honours. “You never know what you’re going to get weather-wise but it’s been absolutely glorious and great racing.”
Another Fiasco, Tim Savage’s Jutson 43 from the Cronulla Sailing Club, earned a well-deserved second in Division 2, while Sail Port Stephens regular Animal Farm added another podium result to its collection.
Division 3
In Division 3, Chris McSorley and his crew aboard his Hanse 445 Lunacy notched-up an extremely consistent performance across both the light and stronger breezes to take home the silverware from Mach 1, David Cartmer’s Bavaria 38 Match, and Kelsea Blue, Adrian Williams’ C&C 115.
Division 4
Six years ago Max Wood convinced the owner of a neglected Compass 38 to relinquish the venerable 1976 design for the modest sum of $5000. He spent much of the pandemic restoring it himself, replacing the rigging and the interior.
Last night he celebrated Windwood’s convincing Division 4 victory with his clearly elated crew from the Wangi Amateur Sailing Club on Lake Macquarie.
“It’s unbelievable. I think we’re about the second oldest boat in the fleet,” Wood confessed. “Five days of sailing, beautiful weather, great place. We have a large overlapping headsail and it worked well. But they [the crew] want me to buy new sails now.”
Putting the win in perspective, Windwood’s result was up against 27 other well-sailed boats including Charles Daniels’ Hanse 371 Eureka which was second, and Keith Masters’ Bavaria 40 Windmaiden in third.
Non-Spinnaker Division
The Non-Spinnaker Division was another win for the true believers, with Sandy Hume and his crew aboard his Catalina 320 Windfalls holding-off the challenge by two Bavarias – Paul Baston’s Namadgi 3 and Jo Gomboso’s Konan the Barbarian.
Event Wrap
Follow the full Sail Port Stephens 2026 series coverage: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4.
The quality of the courses, weather, racing and bonhomie of this year’s Commodores Cup Passage Series make it a stand-out.
This media release has been provided by Sail Port Stephens. For more sailing regattas Australia coverage and yacht race results, visit our AFLOAT marine lifestyle news section: AFLOAT Magazine.
