Alma Doepel is Going to Hobart
For the first time since 1976 Alma Doepel will visit Hobart for the Australian
Wooden Boat Festival. The Board of Sail & Adventure Ltd has formally
approved the voyage of Alma Doepel to the Australian Wooden Boat
Festival in Hobart in February 2027.
This will be Alma Doepel’s first major interstate voyage following her restoration
and an extraordinary milestone for everyone who has supported the ship over
many years. It also marks 50 years since the Alma Doepel departed Hobart for
her new life in Victoria working with young people.
They are looking for experienced crew, interested in joining the delivery voyage,
return voyage, sea trials or festival operations. Also there are opportunities for
skilled volunteers able to assist with electrical work, carpentry, rigging, painting,
deck work, engineering, provisioning and voyage preparation.
Contact [email protected] for further information.

MORNINGTON, VIC — Mornington Yacht Club (MYC) is proud to announce it will host the 2027 Victorian State Championships for three of the state's premier junior and youth sailing classes: the Optimist, 420 and 29er. The event will run over the Labour Day long weekend, 6–8 March 2027.
Three Classes. Three State Championships. One Great Weekend of Sailing.
Working alongside the Victorian Optimist, 420 and 29er Associations, MYC will bring all three State Championships together at one venue for the first time, with each class running its own independent championship while sharing the club's facilities and race area.
This event reflects a focus MYC has built over recent years: growing camps and programs that support multi-class sailing, and giving young sailors clear, accessible pathways to progress through the sport. Over the years, MYC's camps have brought these classes together in this way, and the club has seen firsthand the value of it; not just in skill development, but in the friendships that grow between sailors as they cross paths across the classes.
This will be a major moment in the 2026–27 Victorian sailing calendar and another step forward in MYC’s strategic commitment to bringing sailors together and growing strong junior and youth racing across multiple classes. The timing is fitting, with MYC this weekend hosting 65 sailors across four classes for training, alongside 10 champion coaches. Combined with a strong turnout expected for the Schnapper Point Regatta in February 2027, it’s a clear sign of the momentum building at MYC and within Victorian sailing.
"We talk a lot about pathways in sailing, but really it's about possibilities. Every sailor finds their own way through the sport, and the more of those possibilities kids can see, the more likely they are to stick with it," said Melissa Warren, Sailing Manager, Mornington Yacht Club.
More information from each class association and from Mornington Yacht Club will follow as event arrangements are finalised.
About Mornington Yacht Club
Located on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, MYC runs a comprehensive sailing program spanning learn-to-sail pathways through to elite junior and youth racing to adult sailing, supported by a dedicated coaching and instructor team.
Website : www.morningtonyc.net.au

Ever wondered what it's like to get out on the water and give sailing a go? Now's your chance!
Join us at Mornington Yacht Club on Sunday 8 November for our Discover Sailing Day — a fun and relaxed opportunity to try sailing, meet our club community and enjoy a fantastic day by the bay.
⛵ Try Sailing sessions at 11:30am, 12:30pm & 1:30pm – no previous sailing experience needed
🎶 Live music
🔥 BBQ
🍻 Bar
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring the family and enjoy the club atmosphere
Tickets are just $10 — and your full $10 is redeemable at the BBQ or bar on the day!
Whether you've always wanted to try sailing, are looking for a new activity, or simply want to come along and experience the social side of Mornington Yacht Club, we'd love to welcome you.
📅 Sunday 8 November 2026
⏰ Sailing sessions: 11:30am, 12:30pm & 1:30pm
📍 Mornington Yacht Club
1 Schnapper Point Drive, Mornington
Come for the sailing, stay for the music, BBQ and good company!
Places for Try Sailing are limited, so register early and come discover what Mornington Yacht Club is all about.
Discover Sailing Day @ MYC 11:30am - Mornington Yacht Club - revolutioniseSPORT
Discover Sailing Day @ MYC 12:30pm - Mornington Yacht Club - revolutioniseSPORT
Discover Sailing Day @ MYC 1:30pm - Mornington Yacht Club - revolutioniseSPORT
Discover Sailing Day @ MYC Social Ticket - Mornington Yacht Club - revolutioniseSPORT
​

Melbourne to Vanuatu Yacht Race Returns in 2028 

ORCV revives a remarkable 1,885-nautical-mile voyage from Portsea to the South Pacific 

Melbourne, Australia September 1st 2026. One of Australian ocean racing’s great blue water adventures is returning. 

The Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) has announced plans to revive the Melbourne to Vanuatu Yacht Race in 2028, taking competitors on an extraordinary 1,885-nautical-mile passage from Portsea, across Bass Strait and through the South Pacific to the tropical islands of Vanuatu. 

​2006 Melbourne to Vanuatu fleet / Photo supplied by ORCV Media

Previously raced in 2006, 2010 and 2014, the Melbourne to Vanuatu is remembered by past competitors as much more than an ocean race. It is a demanding test of seamanship, preparation and navigation, culminating in an arrival at one of the world’s most beautiful sailing destinations. 

The Category 1 race is planned to start in late June 2028, with staggered starts designed to bring yachts of different speeds together at the finish over a relatively compact period. Faster 40-to-50-foot yachts are expected to complete the passage in approximately 10 to 12 days, while smaller boats may take between 12 and 16 days. 

The course presents a fascinating progression of ocean conditions. From the cold and often testing waters of Bass Strait, crews must negotiate the East Australian Current, make their way through the variable winds of the horse latitudes and position themselves to take advantage of the south-easterly trade winds for the final run towards Vanuatu. 

“This is the kind of race that stays with you for life,” said ORCV Commodore Cyrus Allen. “It combines serious blue water competition with the adventure of sailing from a Melbourne winter into the warmth and beauty of the South Pacific. Crossing the finish line in Vanuatu after nearly 1,900 nautical miles will be an unforgettable achievement for every crew.” 

51st Project racing the 2010 Melbourne to Vanuatu / Photo supplied by ORCV Media

The race is expected to include fully crewed, double-handed and cruising divisions for monohull and multihull yachts, with PHS, AMS, ORCi and OMR handicap categories. The event will also provide an ideal long-range shakedown for Australian and international yachts considering the 2030 Melbourne Osaka Cup. 

Importantly, the finish is only the beginning of the wider adventure. 

After arriving in Vanuatu, crews will have the opportunity to rest, explore and enjoy the archipelago’s remarkable landscapes, culture and hospitality. With 83 islands, warm tropical waters and exceptional cruising, Vanuatu offers a compelling reward after the demands of the passage north. 

Competitors may then cruise their yachts back to Australia, return directly to Melbourne, or sail west to Queensland in time to join the celebrated winter regatta circuit, including Airlie Beach Race Week, Hamilton Island Race Week and Maggie Island Race Week. The result is the potential for an entire season of ocean racing, tropical cruising and regatta competition built around one remarkable voyage. 

Planning is underway for the finish near Port Havannah on Efate, where new marina, yacht club, provisioning, fuel and water facilities are expected to support visiting yachts. The ORCV is also engaging with Vanuatu tourism representatives as the race program develops. 

To prepare crews for the demands of the passage, the ORCV intends to deliver an extensive program of training and race-preparation seminars. Topics will include medical readiness, provisioning, communications, repairs at sea, search and rescue, salvage, weather, customs and quarantine, and the practical realities of extended offshore racing. 

Expressions of interest are now being sought from yacht owners and sailors who want to be part of the race’s return. 

“This is an ambitious race, but that is precisely what makes it special,” Allen said. “It offers the challenge of a major international ocean passage, the camaraderie of a shared expedition and a destination that feels like a genuine reward. We are bringing back a race that deserves a prominent place on the Australian sailing calendar.” 

The ORCV will use expressions of interest to guide detailed planning ahead of formal entry opening in mid-2027, followed by the training and preparation program. 

For sailors seeking their next great blue water challenge, the course is set: Melbourne to Vanuatu, 2028.

Expressions of Interest 

Yacht owners and prospective competitors can register their interest at: https://www.orcv.org.au/vanuatu

Eight sailors from Mornington Yacht Club have returned from Sweden after representing Australia and Oceania at the 2026 Team Racing World Championships in Stockholm, completing a journey that began with qualification almost a year earlier. 

Lachie Weber, Lottie Wormald, James Jackson, Will McKenzie, Lulu Di Sciascio, Jack Furey, Heath Jones and Maddy English earned their opportunity through the Australian 2K Team Racing National Championships before being nominated by Australian Sailing and selected to compete on the world stage. 

 With an average age of just 21, the Australians were one of the youngest teams in a highly experienced international fleet that included Olympic and World Championship sailors. 

The racing itself presented a significant learning curve. 

Competition was held on Riddarfjärden in the heart of Stockholm, surrounded by the city’s buildings, islands and varied topography. The venue produced highly changeable wind direction and pressure, adding another tactical challenge to an already demanding form of racing. 

The championship also used a compact digital M course with defined boundaries, creating an arena-style racing environment similar to that seen in competitions such as SailGP. For many of the Australians, racing within strict boundaries was unfamiliar, with small mistakes capable of quickly changing the outcome of the short, fast races. 

 Despite a challenging start to the championship, the Mornington team made noticeable gains as the week progressed. 

A highlight was a race victory over Japan, while later in the series the Australians produced increasingly close contests against teams from Sweden, Finland and the United States. 

One of their strongest performances came against the American combination that would ultimately win the World Championship. Australia led the eventual champions through to Mark 5 before the race swung back in favour of the Americans. 

Those moments became an important measure of the team’s progression. As familiarity with the boats, course boundaries and Stockholm conditions increased, starts improved, communication sharpened and the Australians increasingly found themselves competing closely with some of the strongest teams at the event. 

The week also included a visit from the Deputy Australian Ambassador to Sweden, providing a memorable opportunity for the team to share their experience of representing Australia internationally. 
Getting the eight sailors to Stockholm was itself a significant community effort. 

More than 100 people attended a fundraising trivia night at Mornington Yacht Club ahead of the championship, with the wider campaign also supported by the MYC Foundation, Ronstan, club members, families, local businesses and supporters. 

 That backing helped turn qualification into an achievable international campaign for the young team. 
 The experience will also extend beyond the World Championship. Several members of the team are involved in coaching within Mornington Yacht Club’s junior and youth programs and will now bring lessons from Stockholm back into the club environment. 

For the eight sailors, Stockholm was about much more than a final finishing position. It was an opportunity to represent Australia, race against some of the world’s most accomplished sailors and progressively close the gap throughout a demanding international championship. 
​
For a team with an average age of just 21, it was also an important step in what they hope will be a much longer journey in the sport. ​

Town Planning & Co Proud to Continue Partnership with Mornington Yacht Club
Town Planning & Co is delighted to continue our partnership with Mornington Yacht Club for the 2026/2027 sailing season, and particularly proud to continue our support of the Club’s wonderful Sailability program.

As a Mornington-based business, being actively connected to our local community is incredibly important to us. We live, work and spend much of our time on the Mornington Peninsula, and supporting organisations that contribute positively to the place we call home is something we genuinely value. Mornington Yacht Club is one of those organisations.

The Club has a wonderful presence within Mornington - bringing people together through sailing, volunteering, friendship and a shared connection to the water. We are thrilled to remain part of the MYC community for another season.

Our continued sponsorship is particularly meaningful because of the opportunity it gives us to support Sailability. Sailability is a fantastic community program that helps make sailing accessible to people of all abilities, providing participants with the opportunity to experience the freedom, enjoyment and connection that comes from being out on the water.

What makes the program particularly special is the community that surrounds it. From the sailors and their families to the dedicated volunteers who give their time, knowledge and enthusiasm, Sailability embodies so much of what we love about Mornington: inclusion, generosity, connection and a willingness to get involved.

We’re very much looking forward to another fantastic sailing season ahead and to continuing to support the Club, its members, volunteers and the Sailability community.

Thank you to everyone at Mornington Yacht Club for the extraordinary contribution you continue to make to our community.

Here’s to another wonderful season on the water!
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Melinda Ryan and team, Town Planning & Co.