​Entries are still open for Race 4 of the 2026 DYSC Marine Supplies Winter Series & Novice Return Series. Last in the series is the popular race to Geelong on 15 August to be followed by the Novice Return Race on 16 August.

Special thanks to DYSC Marine Supplies for proudly supporting the ORCV and the sailors who make offshore racing in Victoria a strong and growing community.

As people get older and their lives change, they often leave their favourite sport behind. They’re too busy, too old, or not fit enough anymore. This sad reality particularly applies to women.
Sailing is not one of these sports. And for women, it’s a long-term pastime.

Women may learn to sail with family from an early age. Their love of the water and the satisfaction of learning sailing skills, being in the fresh air, getting wet and windblown, is a childhood love and cherished memory.
But then they follow the well-worn path of meeting a boy, falling in love, gaining a career, getting married, launching babies into the world and, eventually, sitting in their empty nest. Then the old love affair with sailing starts knocking on the door waking them up at night.

For Jo McKenzie, a 20-year member and volunteer at Mornington Yacht Club, who has shepherded her two fantastic kids through the Club, it’s now her time. Time to rinse and repeat, dust off the old sailing skills and start crewing with husband Cam on their beautiful ocean racer, the JIII yacht, Ginan.
After many years away from offshore sailing, returning to the sport has been both familiar and refreshing. “It’s been a long time between drinks, so to say,” she reflects. “I’m now more confident in myself and at a different stage of life.

Both she and her husband Cam had sailing backgrounds from earlier years. “Cam and I both sailed early on, but we were on different boats,” she explains. Her own offshore experience included a number of deliveries alongside Nigel Jones during his Cadibarra days, including races to King Island and Apollo Bay.
Now sailing together brings a new appreciation. “It’s good to see Cam in a different light. I have huge respect for that different side of both Cam and his co skipper and long time friend Nigel, it’s lovely experiencing it and I’m just soaking it all up.” reflected Jo.
“As I step onto the boat, it’s reassuring that I know the terminology. I may not always contribute, but I do understand it all.” which is quite reassuring explained Jo.
More than anything, it’s the feeling of being offshore that has drawn her back in. “I really enjoy the feeling of being on the ocean, you get into a rhythm and there’s so much more to see than when I’m racing around the sticks.”
Among the practical discoveries of returning to racing “Knee pads,” she laughs. “They’re like pillows on my knees and wow, they make all the difference.”
Jo’s story illustrates that it’s possible to pick up sailing long after the kids graduate and you’ve earned a few more laughter lines. Just give it a go.


Photos provided by Jo McKenzie
Written by Lee Renfree
​Through ORCV

Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster

Entries are now open for the 2026 Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster, a blue-water ocean classic with more than 50 years of history and the highest-ranking race in the ORCV Offshore Championship. The 435NM course takes the fleet across Bass Strait, south along Tasmania's rugged and remote West Coast — a true test of strategy and seamanship for full crew, 4+ autohelm, and double handed boats alike. Join the legacy of more than 900 yachts and 7,000 crew members who've made this passage. Click here for more details and to enter the race.

DYSC Marine Supplies Winter Series (Saturday 4 & 18 July 2026)

Entries are still open for the 2026 DYSC Marine Supplies Winter Series & Novice Return Series. Race 2 is a destination race to Blairgowrie on 4 July with the Novice Return Race on 5 July. Race 3 is a race around Fixed Marks on 18 July starting off in Sandringham Yacht Club. 

Special thanks to DYSC Marine Supplies for proudly supporting the ORCV and the sailors who make offshore racing in Victoria a strong and growing community.

Winter Training Courses 

The ORCV Winter Training Courses are still open for bookings. Winter is a great time to top up knowledge and get ready for the next season.

• Fundamental Navigator (in-person, starts 14 July 2026) 
• Prepare your Yacht for Cat 2 & 3 (in-person, starts 22 July 2026) 
• Foredeck Essentials (eLearning + practical on 9 August 2026) 
• Tactical Navigator (in-person, starts 1 September 2026) 

​Gather your family and friends and join us for a delicious Sunday Roast on Sunday, 12 July 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Enjoy a hearty roast lunch in a relaxed waterfront setting, perfect for catching up with loved ones and making the most of your Sunday afternoon.

​<Embarking on a passage of a lifetime, the start of the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup Photo Al Dillon .jpg>

Supporting young sailors today, building Victoria's sailing champions of tomorrow.

Morning Splice – An Introduction to Dyneema Splicing
Curious about Dyneema splicing but not sure where to start? Join us at Mornington Yacht Club for Morning Splice, a hands-on beginner session designed to introduce sailors to the fundamentals of modern rope splicing.
Over the morning, participants will learn how to splice Dyneema rope, make their own soft shackle, understand modern onboard rope applications, and build confidence with practical splicing techniques. No prior experience is needed — just curiosity and a willingness to learn.
🕙 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Mornington Yacht Club
Pricing:
MYC Members $100 (contact office for discount code)
Non-Members $150
Optional discounted Ronstan Splicing Kits are available for $29.25 (normally $49.50), with pre-orders closing 12 July 2026.
Morning tea included. Limited places available.
Book here:Introduction to splicing - Mornington Yacht Club - revolutioniseSPORT