ILCA Australian Championships

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Published February 17, 2026

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Published February 11, 2026

2026 Australian Masters Wrap

Published February 10, 2026

180 sailors from all mainland states and territories and some sailors from overseas enjoyed Australian Masters Championships at the fabulous regatta venue at Soldiers Point, Port Stephens. With beautiful clear water, good breezes, a traffic-free bay and lots of user-friendly rigging areas adjacent to accommodation what was not to like about the event.

The event was run for us by Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club who manage the Bay Sailing Centre and run major sailing events on Port Stephens. NCYC did a terrific job with 20 volunteers from Newcastle and tireless Sailing Manager Jack Buchan and Australian Sailing’s RO of the year Ken Semple calling the shots. Thanks to the NCYC and Bay Sailing Centre staff and volunteers for their efforts in delivering a great event.

On Sunday night 200 sailors and supporters enjoyed the event dinner at the Soldiers Point Bowling Club across the road from the Bay Sailing Centre. There Martin White hosted an Q & A session with Brett Beyer, Rob Lowndes, Lyndall Patterson and Christine Bridge who were Australian winners of World Masters categories at the 2025 World Masters in Italy. Australia won the ILCA trophy for most successful nation at the 2025 World Masters. The trophy is now on proud display at Middle Harbour Amateur Sailing Club.

The racing was held with three fleets ILCA 7, ILCA 6 Masters & GM, ILCA 6 Apprentices, GGMs and Legends each around 60 boats.

The first 2 days had solid afternoon sea breezes of 15 knots plus. Day 3 was lighter and saw delays due to shifting breeze and many general recalls. On Day 4 the fleets were APed ashore and just one light wind race was completed so seven of the eight scheduled races for the series with one drop.

There were 25 ILCA cubes awarded at this event and the first three placegetters in each category are listed below.

	Apprentices	Masters	GM	GGM	Legends	ILCA 4	Women

ILCA 7 1st	James Tudball	Christoph Bottoni	Brett Beyer	Michael Wilson
ILCA 7 2nd	John Sweeny	Tom Lowndes	Jan Scholten	Nick Page
ILCA 7 3rd	Jack Sprague	David Newman	David Whait	Rob Sykes

ILCA 6 1st	Simon Merritt	Jon Emmett	Bruce Savage	Michael O’Brien	Peter Heywood		Christine Bridge
ILCA6 2nd	Bradley Utting	Rupert Henry	Owen McMahon	Colin Beashel	Tim Alexander		Jenny Danks
ILCA 6 3rd	Vaimooia Ripley	Scott Hunter	Brad Jones	Anthony Scali	Kerry Waraker		Kerrie Shimeld

ILCA 4 1st						Jacqui Winship
ILCA 4 2nd						Lyn Savage
ILCA 4 3rd						Ross Bell