The 2026 Gela Skincare Waikawa Women’s Regatta brought together 119 wahine sailors from around New Zealand for a weekend of competitive racing, Marlborough hospitality and challenging conditions on the water in early September.
Hosted by Waikawa Boating Club, the three-day event combined social activities and sailing, with everything from light winds and sunshine to a strengthening southerly that delivered gusts of more than 30 knots on Sunday.
The weekend began with a Taste of Marlborough experience, with five local launches taking 50 visiting sailors to Kumototo Bay for a five-boat raft-up. Guests enjoyed a selection of local produce, including venison, lamb, pāua, mussels, salmon and vegetables, paired with wines from Riverby Estate.
Saturday offered sunny skies, dolphins and diving gannets as crews prepared for the first day of racing. Two races were completed, beginning with a longer harbour course out to Perano Shoals before a windier round-the-buoys race tested crews’ manoeuvres and spinnaker work.
The day concluded with dinner and prizegiving at a packed Waikawa Boating Club, where around 100 guests heard from Olympic gold medallist Jenny Armstrong. She shared stories from her involvement in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race last December, including some hair-raising moments that did little to deter a few guests from considering an attempt of their own.
The 2026 Gela Skincare Waikawa Women’s Regatta brought together 119 female sailors from around the country. Photos / Supplied
Sunday brought another sunny start, but the forecast southerly kept sailors and organisers on alert. By about 10.30am, winds were building and exceeded 30 knots at times, requiring the racing committee and safety boat crews to make repeated course adjustments and manage the placement of marks in the challenging conditions.
As the wind settled to a more manageable 15–20 knots, the fleet completed two further round-the-buoys races, bringing the weekend’s sailing to a close by 3pm.
A second full house at the club for the final prizegiving rounded out the regatta, with tired crews, sun- and windburnt faces and plenty of smiles reflecting a successful weekend on and off the water.
The strong turnout and positive atmosphere have already set the scene for next year, with the 2027 Gela Skincare Waikawa Women’s Regatta confirmed for 10–12 September.
Waikawa Boating Club thanked the sailors, boat owners, sponsors, volunteers and everyone who contributed to the event, which once again showcased the camaraderie and competitive spirit of women’s sailing.
Full results:https://www.sailwave.com/results/wbc/GSWWR-2026.htm
Originally published by Yachting New Zealand.
