The Mooloolaba Women's Keelboat Regatta has taken out the top honour at the Australian Sailing Awards in Sydney, with the event celebrated for its growth and success over the past twelve months.

The 2022 Mooloolaba Women’s Keelboat Regatta (MWKR), emerged from the 2017 MYC Women’s Sailing Skills Development Program in response to the limited local opportunity for women to participate in regatta racing.

The women who delivered the inaugural 2019 MWKR knew that development programs only give you so much: there's nothing like the regatta environment to add pressure to the practice with close river sailing in a unique environment.

Now one of SEQ’s most popular women’s sailing events, the 2022 MWKR filled in 24 hours and gave women experience both on and off-water, with the opportunity to helm or act in leadership roles in event management, admin, promotion, training and club/crew preparation.

Open to female sailors from all clubs in teams of 3-4, the event started with morning training followed by “Battle for the Bubbles” on Friday before ‘around the buoys’ series on Saturday & Gold/Silver Fleet Finals on Sunday.

Initially attracting mainly MYC members, by 2022 it is 50/50 split with interclub teams returning including Newcastle, Townsville/North Queensland, Royal Sydney, Royal Queensland, Royal South Australian and Tweed Valley.

It was a culmination of many months of dedicated effort from club members, their friends and families delivering a quality regatta, inspiring women to step out of their comfort zone, develop skills and enjoy full participation in race sailing.

Australian Sailing congratulates the Mooloolaba Yacht Club and the event organisers on such a fantastic initiative and a well deserved win.