Women's Helm, Navigator & Radio Operator Race (WHNR) & Return Sprint (WRS)

The ORCV Women's Helm, Navigator & Radio Operator Race returns in 2025 by popular demand.  The inception of the WHNR race in September 2013, in recognition of the skills and passion of women participating in ocean races and other interclub events in Port Phillip, provided them the opportunity to take up lead roles in a dedicated event to showcase their skills. Initially added to the Winter Series event, as the Geelong to Melbourne (G2M) return race, the WHNR was contested annually to 2019, before the Covid years disrupted sailing. In recent years, the Winter Series return races from Blairgowrie and Geelong now constitute the Novice Return Series (NRS). 

In 2025, the reinstated WHNR is now a stand alone passage event to be run on 26 July with QCYC as the destination club. A revamp of the event, will see two divisions, Racing and Cruising, with the latter to recognise the increasing number of women becoming involved with the ORCV with the move of the KISS (Keelboat Introduction to Sailing Savvy) program formally to ORCV Training.  The Racing Division will attract more experienced sailors whilst the Cruising Division will encourage newly graduated KISS alumni, less experienced women or those who prefer cruising. 

An additional opportunity exists for a return race from QCYC to boats’ home clubs on Sunday 27 July to maximise the opportunity for all women to actively participate across a variety of roles.  

The reintroduction of the WHNR in 2025, aligns strongly with the International Women’s Day 2025 theme to @accelerateaction. Initiatives to see more women on the water more often will build a community of passionate skilled women sailors, ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion across clubs and the sport of sailing. 

 Provisonal Program and Information: