Belinda Cooper, an experienced racing skipper for over 15 years, sets Agnes’s sails for a full year of sailing in 2016.

As the 2016 Australasian Racing Season draws near, Ms Cooper says this is by far the biggest racing campaign she and the crew have competed in.  

“It involves sailing and racing overseas in Phukett Thailand with some big sponsors including LandRover, Channel 7, Jaguar, Audi, Tourism and Events Queensland,” said Cooper.

With Tropical North Queensland having the most inviting waters to sail and race on, Cooper has sailed regularly in regattas along the eastern seaboard claiming the most exciting and different was the Melbourne Women’s Keel Boat Championships at St Kilda about five years ago.

“We finished mid-fleet and won ‘Best Sporting Team’ due to going to Melbourne in the middle of winter to race, from Far North Queensland.  They were most impressed by the photos of myself and the crew training in Port in our bikinis,” laughed Cooper.

One might scratch their head and ask, how does an ex-steeplechase jockey from the UK become an avid skipper in Port Douglas.

“I became interested in yachting when I first moved to Australia and found that it was too hot to be a steeplechase jockey here so I took up sailing instead.

Ms Cooper, who has lived in FNQ for 20 years, has just become the Rear Commodore of the Port Douglas Yacht Club. While preparing for the 2016 Australasian Racing Season, “I will continue to organise weekend club racing out of Port Douglas and there is a mini regatta on the 24th and 25th October.”

Ms Cooper advised anyone wanting to be involved in the sport, experienced or not, can contact her at the Port Douglas Yacht Club.

During the 2016 racing season, there will be a dedicated media crew member on board who will blog, take footage, email and Facebook during the races and social activities.  Newsport will be covering the progress of the season.

Belinda Cooper and Agnes are seeking the support of a Port Douglas business or businesses who are interested in associating themselves with the prestige of open water yacht racing to sponsor her race program. Sponsors will receive full sail branded exposure along with TV, print and digital media and other benefits. Please contact Kathryn on 0418 107 265 to receive more information.