Celebrating Lee Renfree: Australian Sailing Recognition & KISS Program Success

The Ocean Racing Club of Victoria proudly celebrates Lee Renfree's well-deserved recognition by Australian Sailing for her exceptional contributions to our sport. This prestigious acknowledgment highlights what we at ORCV have long known—that Lee's visionary leadership and dedication have transformed the sailing landscape for women across Victoria.

Making a Difference: Honouring Lee Renfree and the KISS Program

Published Thu 22 May 2025 Australian Sailing

In 2022, Lee Renfree had a vision of a program that would empower women on the water. The reality would be the KISS Program (Keelboat Introduction to Sailing Savvy), which has seen 80 sailors get involved and counting. For National Volunteers Week, we celebrate Lee’s contribution to getting more women involved in sailing. 

Born in a town on the Murray River, water and boats have always been a part of Lee’s life. Her sailing journey began while on holiday in Vanuatu, inspired by none other than Kay Cottee, the first woman to sail solo non-stop around the world.  

Since then, she and her husband have sailed over 15,000 nautical miles double-handed with three decades spent at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club. Lee has held leadership roles in clubs across Victoria and Tasmania, including as Commodore of Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club and is a Life Member of the Cruising Yacht Association of Victoria.  

Her most enduring contribution to the sailing community has been the creation of the KISS Program. Launched during her tenure as the first female Commodore in Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club’s 60-year history, the KISS Program was born out of desire to challenge the status quo and empower women on the water. 

“Women are often the silent partner in the ownership of the family yacht,” Lee said. “They very rarely get the most out of this magnificent experience. There is nothing quite like being at the helm in the ocean on a moonlit night or having the satisfaction of navigating a vessel safely into port.” 

By providing a space for women to learn, grow and take the helm - literally and figuratively - Lee has helped transform fear into freedom. 

“Knowledge is power. If I could share my knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for the sport I love, other women could come on board and get more out of owning a boat. You can’t be what you can’t see - leading by example is my way to go.” 

Lee’s drive to volunteer stems from a deep commitment to empowering women through sailing. She’s witnessed firsthand how time on the water can build confidence, spark joy and open up new possibilities. Through her KISS Program - designed by women, for women - Lee is helping change the narrative in what has traditionally been a male-dominated sport. 

“Getting more women on the water and involved is what gets me out of bed in the morning. There is nothing like seeing the joy on their faces when they learn a new skill. I see their confidence in their own ability and value as a human being grow and their lives take off in directions they never thought possible,” she said.  

For Lee, volunteering is deeply personal and endlessly rewarding. “The most rewarding part of volunteering is knowing that my contribution enriches the lives of others and that I can truly make a difference in the world.” 

We commemorate Lee’s impact to steer change, uplift communities and chart a more inclusive future for sailing. Here’s Three Cheers for Lee! 

For more information about the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria and its activities, please visit www.orcv.org.au.

Ocean Racing Club of Victoria Wins Prestigious Media Award 2024

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - The Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) has been awarded the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme Outstanding Media Coverage of Sport Award at the 2024 Victorian Sport Awards. The announcement was made at an awards ceremony held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Left to Right: Meaghan Densley (Former Australian Sailing Victoria General Manager) - revolutioniseSPORT Sports Administrator of the Year (Eunice Gill Award), Melissa Warren (ORCV Marketing Manager) -  Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme Outstanding Media Coverage of Sport Award, Josh Garner and Jack Benyan - AFL Sports Ready Young Team of the Year / Photo by Australian Sailing

This year's Victorian Sport Awards saw an impressive turnout, with over 300 nominees across various categories. The sailing community made a strong showing, securing seven finalist positions, highlighting the sport's growing prominence in Victoria.

The ORCV's win in the Outstanding Media Coverage category recognizes the club's exceptional efforts in promoting and showcasing sailing events throughout Victoria. Their comprehensive coverage, innovative storytelling, and engaging content have significantly contributed to raising the profile of ocean racing and sailing in the state.

VicReturn Chief Communications, Marketing, and Engagement Officer Marianne Doyle and ORCV Marketing Manager Melissa Warren / Photo by Victorian Sport Awards

"We are thrilled and honored to receive this prestigious award," said Cyrus Allen, ORCV Commodore, who has just finished competing in the 5,000 nautical mile Melbourne to Osaka race. "This recognition reflects our team's dedication to sharing the excitement and challenges of ocean racing with a wider audience. We're passionate about our sport and committed to bringing its stories to the forefront of Victoria's sporting landscape."

The award acknowledges the ORCV's multifaceted approach to media coverage, which includes live race tracking, engaging social media content, in-depth race reports, and compelling human interest stories that capture the spirit of ocean racing.

Photo by CDS Vic

The Outstanding Media Coverage of Sport Award was sponsored by CDS Vic, which is part of the Victorian Government's $515 million investment to transform the state's waste and recycling sector. CDS Vic aims to:

• Increase recycling and reduce littering, cleaning up our environment
• Be convenient and accessible with many types and locations of refund points across Victoria
• Bring new jobs and economic opportunities for individuals, charity, and community groups

For more information, go to www.cdsvic.org.au.

The Victorian Sport Awards, presented by the State Government of Victoria and Vicsport, celebrate excellence across the Victorian sport and active recreation industry. The awards span various categories, recognizing athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators, and initiatives that have made significant contributions to Victorian sport.

For more information about the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria and its activities, please visit www.orcv.org.au.

My First Melbourne to Hobart Race: A Journey of Emotion, Challenge, and Triumph

Story and photo by Glenda Pillifeant

Reflecting on my first Melbourne to Hobart race, I am filled with a profound mix of pride, gratitude, and a deep sense of accomplishment. But this journey was about much more than just the race itself; it was about the people I sailed with, the unwavering love and support shared along the way, and the memories that will stay with me forever. It’s a race that many aspire to, and though it still feels surreal, I am yet to completed my first year of sailing. Was I lucky? Perhaps, but it’s taken dedication, hard work, and determination to get here.

My journey began on January 20, 2024, with a crewing course at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. On that very day, I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and was asked to join the Faster Forward team for my first-ever yacht race at the Festival of Sails in Geelong. From that moment, I was committed—whether it was learning the boat or supporting the team during repairs. I was there every time the boat set out.

In November, I participated in my first offshore race, the Ocean Racing Victoria (ORCV) Melbourne to Devonport race. The weather was moderate, making it manageable and not a true test of resilience or seasickness. But as the Melbourne to Hobart race approached, things took an emotional turn. Our team was devastated by the loss of our dear friend Kevin and my best friend Deb, both of whom passed away less than eight weeks before the race. Their absence weighed heavily on us, but their spirit remained with us as we pushed forward, honouring their memory through every challenge.

The first 24 hours of the race were by far the most difficult. Massive swells, high winds, and the overwhelming challenge of seasickness—five out of nine crew members were affected—tested our limits. There were moments when I doubted myself, both physically and emotionally, but through it all, my teammates supported not just me, but each other, showing incredible camaraderie.

As we rounded the bottom of Tasmania, something shifted, or it could have been the seasickness tablets. Either way the team found its rhythm, refocused, and dug deep to push through the final stretch. The finish line was within reach as we passed the Iron Pot. However, the wind had other plans, and we were left drifting for two agonizing hours. When the breeze finally picked up, it was like a switch had flipped, and we surged
toward the finish line.

Crossing the line felt amazing, sailing past “The Taste of Tasmania” with a sea of people cheering us on was an unforgettable moment. We completed the race at 10 p.m. on the 29th of December, just in time to celebrate our teammate Ken’s birthday with gusto.

I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) and everyone who helped make this monumental event possible. Your dedication made this race an unforgettable experience. To my team—thank you for your unwavering support, camaraderie, and tolerance during the toughest times, I will always be grateful.

This journey has tested me mentally, emotionally, and physically. To reach the finish line and honour the memory of those we’ve lost, while celebrating the ones we hold dear, has been an incredible experience. The magnitude of what we achieved is still sinking in, but it will stay with me for a lifetime. I look forward to the challenges and victories that
lie ahead.

See you on the water soon!

MRV stifles Ambition to take Line Honours and Overall Win in the 2025 Apollo Bay Race

By Jane Austin/ORCV media

Celebrating their win! All smiles for skipper Damien King (far left/front) and Crew on MRV / Photo by Damien King

Margaret Rintoul V (MRV), skippered by Damien King from the Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC), has sailed a fast and furious race to win the 72nd Melbourne to Apollo Bay Race (M2AB).

While the lyrics of a well-known song suggest ‘history never repeats’, King has well and truly proved that good things can happen twice, carrying his exceptional performance from the 70th anniversary race into this year’s event winning on line honours and on overall AMS and PHS handicaps.

The 52 nautical mile race, run by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV), started in brisk conditions at 4 am on Saturday morning with 185 sailors making quick progress off the Queenscliff start line in a 15 knot westerly breeze.

The Frers 61 MRV was the first boat through Port Phillip Heads followed by ORCV Coastal Championship leaders Ginan, skippered by Cameron McKenzie and Nigel Jones from the Mornington Yacht Club, and Steve Twentyman’s Hanse 505, Shimmer.

The forecast was for cracked sheets all the way to Apollo Bay and while the majority of the fleet navigated the race well, others encountered some quiet patches and were ‘parked’ for a short time.

The battle for line honours was on from the start with MRV, Chris Dare’s Ambition from the Derwent Sailing Squadron in Tasmania, and Shimmer all in with a chance to claim first-home bragging rights.

King didn’t have it all his own way though with new fleet entrant Ambition, a Botin/Carkeek GP42, swapping the lead with him several times in only their second race in the boat.

MRV's Youth Superstars (Left to right), Felix Duell, Mats Maertens and Max O'Connell on MRV / Photo by Damien King

Max O’Connell, with Felix Duell and Mats Maertens were sailing their first race to Apollo Bay on MRV.

Adding yet another competitive dimension to the race, Max’s brother Jeremy O’Connell was onboard Ambition, with Max keen to pocket family bragging rights in his first M2AB race.

Max O’Connell reflected upon his first race and the tight tussle with Ambition.

“It was great fun, there were lots of challenging parts, especially the cold, it was very cold up on the rail, but when the sun came up, our spirits came up, and we could see boats around us and beneath us, it was just beautiful,” said O’Connell.

Max was in awe of the spectacular scenery and the competitive nature of the final race of the 2024-25 ORCV Offshore Sailing Program which saw only 55 seconds separating MRV and Ambition across the line, with MRV’s elapsed time 6 hours, 39 minutes and 40 second.

“About ten nautical miles out from the finish we knew we had a race on.

“We had Ambition on our hip, we were following them, and my brother was on the other boat.

“We talked about our options, to sit and hold second position or try for the win.

“We ended up in a tacking duel for about ten tacks over the last few miles.

“We knew Ambition would throw everything at us, and they did, but we just hit them straight back and managed to pull ahead to win,” said O’Connell.

MRV skipper Damien King was over the moon with his success in this year’s race and described his three new race recruits as “absolute legends”.

“Our strategy was to try and hold the rhumbline, we went out to sea a bit, but our plan was just to sail as fast as we could.

“We just love this race.

“It’s a perfect time of the year for this race, we’ve done it a bunch of times…we had great fun and are very happy to come away with line honours and the overall win.

“The race is a great length, we enjoyed starting in the middle of the night, there are different challenges with that, and to sail with three first timers onboard who are absolute legends, it’s just great,” said King.

Joining King and his newcomers on board MRV were Leeton Hulley, Grant Allen, Jonathan Orr, Dean Joel, David Suda and Mark Byrne.

While Ginan, the speedy J111 racing boat, missed out on the overall win, which is decided on AMS handicap, the seasoned sailors were very happy to take away the ORC overall win and the 2024-2025 ORCV Coastal Championship for the third year running.

Skipper McKenzie paid tribute to his entire team’s preparation and made specific mention of the time and effort of his “fabulous navigator” Greg Patten.

“Greg put a lot of time into understanding the race weather, looking at historical routes, understanding how wind shadows caused by the hills could affect us, and we looked at tracks of previous races.

“Because of Greg’s preparation, we were able to make some good tactical decisions today.

“And even though we were pushing the boat hard, we were still taking the time to admire the fabulous scenery along the coast, we are really luck to do what we do,” said McKenzie.

Onboard Ginan were Mark Jukes, Tim Bilham, William McKenzie, Jack Vermeer, Stephen Daniel and James Bacon.

Rounding out the overall results on AMS, Shimmer finished in second place behind MRV by just 32 seconds, with Ginan in third, while MRV and Shimmer finished behind Ginan on ORC overall.

Shimmer underway, living up to its name / Photo by Neil Bourne

Shimmer took out second place on PHS overall with Xenia, the X4.3 boat skippered by Koos Theron from SYC finishing in third.

Peccadillo, skippered by Charles Meredith from the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, won line honours in the multihull division.

ORCV Race Director Ryan Blackstock was very happy with the race with all 28 competitors finishing in a reasonably good time.

“I think it was all fairly straightforward, nothing too out of the ordinary, although I did hear from some people after the race that the wind was fairly patchy around Lorne, but we had a consistent breeze on the finish line.

“And the race was probably a bit easier for some of the tailenders who had a better run to the finish line than the front markers who went a bit further south of the finish line and had to tack back towards us,” said Blackstock.

Joan Lorraine underway to the start line / Photo by Matthew Lee

In other provisional results, Alex Team-Macadie, skippered by Jock Macadie, won the Double-Handed PHS handicap from Sarah Allard’s Saltair and Foggy Dew, skippered by Robert Darcy, finished in third place. Joan Lorraine, skippered by Peter Garner took out the Division 2 Cruising PHS handicap.

The 2025 Melbourne to Apollo Bay Race was sailed with great spirit and camaraderie.

 The Jackal on the way to Queenscliffe / Photo by Peter Grant

This year’s race welcomed several newcomers and a growing contingent of youth sailors and was a fitting end to the summer sailing season.

The fleet was joined by spirited pods of dolphins setting a cracking pace through the water along the Victorian coastline.

King and McKenzie joined many competitors who extended their thanks to the ORCV team for hosting this popular race and the broader offshore sailing program, and for generating coverage across media platforms that is inspiring new sailors.

“Thanks to the ORCV for putting these events on and for always being a fun and inclusive environment for all of us, we greatly appreciate it,” said King.

For full and provisional results across all divisions, click here.