Derwent Sailing Squadron Sailors took on a J/70 in the 2025 Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta - AWKR – the biggest women’s keelboat regatta in the country! Hosted by the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYS) annually over the June long weekend the event does have a reputation of also being one of Australia’s coldest regattas.

A huge thank you to Chris Dare who made his J/70 Ambition available for the weekend event that celebrated its 33^rd anniversary in 2025.

Claire Cunningham, Alice Buchanan, Amy Potter, Chloe Fisher and Meg Goodfellow signed up for the regatta following their win at the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron's Women's Sports Boat Sprint Series earlier this year. 

It was a wild ride on Port Phillip Bay! Cold, breezy, and soggy conditions didn’t stop the DSS sailors from turning in some brilliant performances.  The team showed blistering speed, claiming 7 out of 7 Group 2 line honours with average margins of 4 minutes. While the handicap system didn’t swing their way, the results on the water speak for themselves, fast, sharp and fearless!