2025

The South Australia Women’s Keelboat Regatta, hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia, has proudly won the Australian Sailing SheSailsNational Award!  
 
The regatta has become a highlight of the sailing calendar, celebrating and empowering women in the sport. The event brings together sailors from across the state to compete, learn and connect, helping to grow female participation and strengthen the sailing community in South Australia. 

The 2025 edition of the South Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta (SAWKR), held from 4–6 October over the October long weekend, was a resounding success — attracting an impressive fleet of 30 boats and nearly 170 women sailors from across South Australia and beyond.  

Even more proudly: SAWKR has been named the national winner of the 2025 SheSails Award, a significant recognition from Australian Sailing for outstanding contribution to women’s participation in sailing.  

This award — and the strong turnout in 2025 — underline SAWKR’s growing impact as a cornerstone event for women’s keelboat sailing in Australia.

SheSails Awards National Finalists 2025

Eleanor Cunnigham from Lake Macquarie Yacht Club, New South Wales

Eleanor Cunningham has been instrumental in the success of the SheSails Program at Lake Macquarie Yacht Club. She also leads the Lake Macquarie SheSails Group Committee that has strategically developed the Lake Macquarie SheSails Regatta over the last 8 years. 

This year saw over 20 yachts competing with over 120 sailors, 8 yachts with all female crews and all other yachts having at least 50% female crew.

Eleanor is actively passionate about sailing and provides endless support in volunteering her time. She has also introduced women to other boat owners for crewing opportunities throughout the LMYC fleet and heads up an all-female crew for two seasons on an Adams 10.6.  

She has also been highly active in organising & competing in crews that represented LMYC in five NCYC SheSails Open Regattas, crewing in the 'Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series' 2025 and competing in LMYC’s Wednesday & Saturday summer season races.

Eleanor has also been a Flag Officer at LMYC for many years and is a current member of the LMYC Board, Sailing and History Committee.

All of this selfless work by Eleanor has influenced LMYC’s success in female participation. There has been an increase of over 74% in the last two years with 215 female Sailing Members at LMYC with Australian Sailing SIN numbers for 2025.

Robyn Ragauskas from Sandringham Yacht Club, Victoria

Robyn's leadership, drive, and unwavering commitment has played a central role in transforming the landscape of women’s sailing at Southport Yacht Club.

For the past three seasons, Robyn has served as the SheSails representative on the SYC Sailing Committee, using her role to drive meaningful initiatives that empower, educate, and connect female sailors. 

One of her most impactful contributions has been the launch and ongoing delivery of SYC’s women-specific training courses, now entering its third season. These courses regularly attract participants and offer a supportive, inclusive space where women can build skills, confidence, and camaraderie on the water.

Robyn’s passion extends beyond training, into the competitive racing arena. She and her husband Eddie co-own and race their keelboat Bullet, which competes regularly in Division 2 of the SYC Aggregate and other club events. Robyn is also a dedicated supporter of all-women racing, consistently assembling all-female crews to take part in the Port Phillip Women’s Championship Series. 

Robyn plays a central role in both of the club’s flagship women’s events – the Women in Sailing Challenge and the Commodore’s Challenge. The Women in Sailing Challenge forms part of the Port Phillip Women's Championship Series and also includes a cruising division for those less experienced or sailing more cruising type yachts. 

Beyond racing and formal training, Robyn has been instrumental in building a vibrant and supportive women’s sailing community at SYC. Robyn is a vocal champion for female helms, regularly promoting opportunities for women to take the helm during SYC’s Wednesday and Thursday racing series. Her efforts have resulted in a visible and meaningful increase in female participation across club racing, with more women stepping into leadership roles on and off the water.

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