ILCA Australian Masters Championships 2026
There are 170 entries so far for the 2026 Australian Masters Championships 6-9 February 2026 at Bay Sailing Centre Soldiers Point, Port Stephens NSW. Entries are still open Here.
This is our favourite Masters venue. It offers great open sailing conditions, easy access on and off the water and ample accommodation in the Port Stephens area.
There are three current World Masters Champions competing so expect some high level competition. The Entry List is Here.
This is the Australian ranking event for the 2026 ILCA World Masters 30 May – 16 June Athens, Greece.
The Notice of Race is Here.
The Sailing Instructions are Here.
Event web site with links to documents, results is Here.
Brett Beyer and Christine Bridge GM winners in Masters action
Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships Wrap
The 2026 Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships were very successfully run at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania with racing 3-8 January.
There were over 190 boats competing in the three classes with sailors from all Australian states and from 11 other countries. This was the largest ILCA/Laser Championship ever run in Tasmania and the largest Nationals of any class in Australia this season.
The ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 classes were sailed in two fleets using qualifying and finals series format. The largest class with 77 boats was the fast growing ILCA 4 which sailed on its own course area. Again this year there were more girls than boys in the ILCA 4. The two ILCA 6 and one ILCA 7 fleets sailed in the second course area.
The sailing conditions for the event varied from light and variable to moderate sea breeze with some full on breeze races thrown in for good measure. PRO Colin Dods and the two CROs managed to complete all 12 races two per day as scheduled though one day was a super long one allowed by the sunset in Hobart being at 2100. There is a perspective on the event by ILCA 6 sailors Charlie Byford Here which details more on the variable conditions of the event.
As always the racing was close and competitive especially in the ILCA 4 class where the quality and skill exhibited by the young sailors was exceptional. In the LCA 4s Thomas Cooper WA RFBYC/FSC and Callum Simmons Vic SSCBC/IHYC went head to head. By winning the last race Thomas took first place on a countback. Thomas was also first U18. Callum was also runner up in this event in 2025 in Queensland. Third was RQYS sailor Harry “Houdini” Hogan. First female also from RQYS was Ruby Carter. First U16 was Seth Till FSC/SoPYC WA.
In the ILCA 6 the women filled nine of the top ten places with the two Olympians Emma Plasschaert from Belgium and Hungarian Maria Erdi going head to head finishing in that order. Third placed and first Australian was Paris Olympian sailor Zoe Thomson RFBYC from WA. 5th placed Jasper Stay also from RFBYC was the first male and the first U19. First U17 was Jackson Black from RQYS.
Recently returned to competitive ILCA sailing Matt Wearn RPYC showed he has lost none of his form. He was dominant in the ILCA 7s winning six races and winning without needing to sail in the final race. Fellow WA sailors Zac Littlewood RFBYC and Ethan McAullay RPYC filled the other podium places with Zac winning three races. First U19 was Australia’s World Sailing World Youth Championship sailor Healy Ryan DBSC NSW. First U21 was New Zealander Zach Stibbe OYC.
The full results for the event are Here.
It must be something in the water in WA as five of the top ten ILCA 7 places were filled by WA sailors and they comfortably won the Battens Trophy for the best performing state over all classes at the Nationals.
A very large team of volunteers worked under the able direction of ILCA Tasmania President Ed Fader to make this event run smoothly. Congratulations to ILCA Tasmania and RYCT for running this event for us and thanks to or sponsors for making it all possible.
The 2027 event will be held at Sandringham YC Vic 1-8 January 2027 which will be followed at the same club by the ILCA U21 World Championship 10-17 January.
2026 ILCA Oceania Solidarity Program
Solidarity Sailors With Support Team and Major Sponsor PSA’s Chair Nick Ogden
The 2026 ILCA Oceania Solidarity Program was very successfully run at the Oceania & Australian Championships at RYCT in Hobart 1-8 January.
The program conceived and managed by ILCA Australia Vice President John D’Helin is supported by local ILCA builder PSA an ILCA Oceania grant and Australian Sailing. It aims to encourage female sailors aged 13 to 16 to participate in a top-tier sailing championship, igniting their passion for the sport. Participants receive free entry to the championship, access to a charter boat, and on-water coaching.
The eight selected sailors from each state and New Zealand comprise Harper Spacey (NSW), Keira Dimock and Ellie Tapper (NZ), Matilda Tarring (QLD), Zahli Smith (SA), Cordelia Davey (TAS), Kate Edwards (VIC), and Seraphina Townson (WA). They were supported by AS coach Indy Cooper.
Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships NoR
Tas ILCA have posted the 2026 ILCA Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championship Notice of Race along with Online Entry on the Event Page below:
2026 ILCA Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championship – Event Page
The Event Page also has charter boat contacts, transport and accommodation information, coach, and support boat registration.
In particular sailors and teams who wish to use Spirit of Tasmania should consider booking early for greater choice of sailings.
This event will be the ranking event for entry to all 2026 ILCA World Open and Youth Championships except for the 2026 Under 21 Worlds Lanzarote, Spain (17-24 Jan 2025). Full details of ILCA Australia ranking for ILCA World Championships is on AusILCA web site Here.
Along with the nationals, RYCT have their pre-Christmas Showdown regatta that sailors may be interested in. The NoR for this event is Here.
Tas ILCA and RYCT are looking forward to welcoming all down to Hobart for these Championships.
2026 Oceania Masters & Under 30 Regatta Darwin SC
If too much ILCA Masters sailing is never enough for longer term planning we have the 2026 ILCA Oceania Masters Championships running 18-26 September at Darwin Sailing Club.
This is a fabulous venue and at a great time of year. ILCA NT has run this event at the same time a few years ago and it was a great success. In 2026 they have included a parallel event for the all under 30 sailors so that local youth and sailing families can have everyone enjoying sailing in the tropics. The Masters will be a regional cube award event.
The web site for NoR and information is https://www.revolutionise.com.au/ntlaser/home. Entries will open on 30 November.
A limited number of charter boats will be available and may be booked via charter company website – details of which will be posted on the
Official Noticeboard.
The Oceania Masters Championships are mostly run in conjunction with the Australian Masters but in 2026 the Australian Masters at Port Stephens will be a stand alone event as is the ranking event for 2026 World Masters in Skiathos, Greece.
2027 Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships Sandringham YC
For longer term planning the 2027 Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships will be held in the normal rotation by ILCA Victoria. The event will be held at Sandringham Yacht Club 1-8 January with racing 3-8 January and equipment checking and test race 1-2 January.
The 2027 Performance Sailcraft ILCA Under 21 World Championships for men in ILCA 7 and women in ILCA 6 will also be run at Sandringham 10-17 January 2027 following the Australian Open & Youth event.
Sandringham will host the Victorian State in the weeks preceding these events.
Together with Sail Melbourne, this will provide Australian sailors and sailors from around the world with a program of events across the southern hemisphere summer.
Oceania & Australian Masters Westernport YC Results
David Whait leading Matt Faddy and Matt Blakey all enjoying the conditions at the top of the ILCA 7 Fleet
Over 100 boats lined up for the 2025 Masters at Westernport (27 ILCA 7s, 80 ILCA 6s and 6 ILCA 4s) sailed 21-24 February at Westernport YC, Victoria.
On day one no race started with the tide velocity at times exceeding the wind. Conditions after that ranged from excellent ranging up to challenging allowing PRO Col Dods to run three races per day so 9 of the scheduled 10 races were completed. WYC did a fabulous job on the water and for the several social events which were much appreciated by all the sailors.
There was great racing in all the fleets and some fabulous rides across the reaches and with some decent wind and wave waves down the runs.
The final results for the event are Here.
Lots of action photos of the event are available to free download thanks to Tom France @thomasfrancephotography.
Bruce Paine and the Boat of Pain found the waves a fair bit bigger than on Lake Burly Griffin
2025 Oceania Australian ILCA Masters 21-24 Feb
Entries are now open Here for the 2025 Oceania & Australian Masters Championships 21–24 February at Westernport Yacht Club Balnarring Beach, Victoria.
To encourage growth in the ILCA4 division, a special entry fee of AUD120 is provided.
This is the Australian ranking event for the 2025 ILCA World Masters 19-28 September Formia, Italy.
The Notice of Race is Here.
2025 Oceania & Australian Youth & Open Championships
ILCA 6 Action Mara Stransky Leads Evie Saunders & Hugo Ralph Photo by Spikey Mikey
The Oceania & Australian Youth & Open Championships was held at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Manly Queensland 1-8 January 2025. The event saw 223 boats in the three ILCA classes sail in five fleets competing all 12 scheduled races in mostly variable sea breeze conditions.
The first day saw very strong SE winds with the second race of the day abandoned when a 35 knot front moved over the course. There races were scheduled on the second day with PRO Col Dods keen to get back onto the regatta schedule. This day proved to be the toughest of the regatta.
Days 3 to 6 were sailed in predictable moderate seas breeze conditions allowing the event to proceed like clockwork give or take a few general recalls.
Almost all the top Australian ILCA sailors were competing along with sailors from 10 other countries in Oceania, North America, Europe and Asia regions.
Action a Plenty in the ILCA 4s at RQYS
It was great to see the large number of ILCA 4 sailors. ILCA 4s were the largest class with 92 entries (47 females) sailing for the first time in two fleets. In a close contest they were lead home by Tinaroo Queenslander Breanne Wadley RQYS/TSC from Victorian Callum Simmons SSCBC/IHYC who was first Under 18 and Singaporean Ian Goh. First Under 16 was overall 4th placed WA sailors Thomas Cooper RFBYC/FSC.
The ILCA 6s had 85 entries sailing in two fleets. They were dominated by the top women sailors with 8 of the top 10 and all of the top 6 places filled by women. The clear winner was RQYS and Tokyo Olympic representative Mara Stransky. Mara overcame a F3 race retirement due to a second Rule 42 infringement with a strong finish to win from Marseille Olympic representative WA’s Zoe Thomson RFBYC. NSW
Manly YC sailor Evie Saunders won three races to finish 3rd and was first Under 21. NSW sailors Healy Ryan DBSC/HHSC was first Under 17 and first male at 7th place. First Under 19 was WA’s Jasper Stay RFBYC/FSC.
Hamish Gilsenan Leads Mike Wilson in ILCA 7
The ILCA 7s fleet of 46 podium was dominated by WA sailors with four of the top six from that state. Zac Littlewood RFBYC won after a first place in the final heat. Zac received a second yellow flag in the first race of the final day setting the scene for a nail biting finish with Netherlands Olympic sailor Duko Bos. Zac’s win in Race 12 got him across the line on a countback.
Ethan McAulay RPYC who had beaten Zac and Duko in the lead up event Sail Melbourne was well placed until a second yellow flag in Race 9 forced him to withdraw from that race. Ethan finished 3rd. WA sailors Stefan Elliott-Shircore FSC and Michael Compton SoPYC/FSC completed the WA domination with NSW sailor Finn Alexander RSYS/DBSC completing the podium places. First Under 21 in the ILCA 7s was Isaac Schotte RQYS.
The Battens Trophy for the best performing state returned to WA where it has resided for most of its life since 1975. Victoria in 2023 and Queensland in 2024 interrupted the line however the fabulous strength of the WA ICLA 7 team carried the day in 2025.
Winners are Grinners – Battens Winning Team
The next ILCA Australian & Oceania Open & Youth Championships will be held at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania 1-8 January 2026. Information on this event is in a post on our web site Here.
The full results of the event are Here.
All the event details are on the competitors page on the RQYS web site Here.
RQYS event photos are Here.
There is a more detailed wrap on he event by Andrew Stransky Here.
Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships Information
The 2025 Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships will be held at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Manly Queensland between 1-8 January 2025.
Racing will start on Thursday 2nd January with the practice race. From Friday 3rd until Wednesday 8th January two races back to back are scheduled 12 races in all. The ILCA 4 (91 entries) and the ILCA 6 (87 entries) will both be sailed with split fleets. The ILCA 7s (44 entries) will sail as a single fleet.
The Regatta Competitor Page with links to all information is Here
You can joint the Whatsapp Group Here to receive notification on your mobile when a notice is posted
Competitor List is Here
Sailing Instructions are Here
Notice of Race is Here
RQYS Video will be posted Here
RQYS Weather and rigging area webcam are Here
BoM MetEye (Peel Island) 7 day 3 hourly forecasts are Here
AusILCA AGM will be held at 0900 on 5 January at RQYS Agenda is Here