East Coast Championships Returns Major Youth Sailing to Sydney Harbour

Published 15:49 on 9 Jun 2026

East Coast Championships Returns Major Youth Sailing to Sydney Harbour

Rose Bay, Sydney June 2026

The 2026 East Coast Championships concluded in spectacular fashion over the King's Birthday Long Weekend, with 156 boats, more than 30 support RIBs and hundreds of sailors, coaches, officials and families converging on Sydney Harbour for one of Australia's largest youth sailing regattas.

Organised by the NSW Optimist Association and hosted by Woollahra Sailing Club, the championship brought together competitors from across the East Coast, including a strong contingent from Queensland, to compete in Optimist Green Fleet, Intermediate Optimist, Open Optimist, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, 29er and 49er classes.

The event has helped fill an important gap in the Australian sailing calendar since the Sail Sydney Regatta ceased operating more than two years ago, once again providing a major youth sailing regatta on Sydney Harbour.

Sydney delivered its trademark winter sailing conditions throughout the weekend, with westerly winds ranging from 6 to 15 knots under clear blue skies. The favourable conditions enabled race officials to complete a full schedule of racing across both championship courses and all fleets.

Competitors were treated to a uniquely Sydney Harbour experience, with dolphins making regular appearances on the racecourses, seaplanes taking off and landing overhead, and Sydney ferries slowing to allow fleets to pass safely through the harbour. On the start line, the pin end was once again guarded by Blues the Labrador, a familiar presence at Optimist events, calmly observing proceedings from the pin end boat throughout racing.

Onshore, Woollahra Sailing Club transformed into a vibrant regatta village, with boats covering the rigging lawns and foreshore. Families, supporters and members of the public enjoyed the colourful atmosphere throughout the weekend, while local council representatives commented on the professionalism and organisation of the event.

The regatta was a significant logistical achievement, with more than 900 boat movements safely managed through the Woollahra Sailing Club launching facilities over the three-day championship.

A particular highlight was the participation of 20 Optimist Green Fleet sailors, many competing in their first major regatta. Their enthusiasm and sportsmanship reflected the strength of grassroots sailing and the bright future of the sport. Across all fleets, competitors demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, showcasing the next generation of Australian sailing talent.

The success of the championship was made possible by an outstanding team of volunteers, race officials, safety crews and club members. From race management and on-water operations to registration, beach management and catering, hundreds of volunteer hours ensured a seamless event both on and off the water. Competitors and families were also treated to excellent hospitality throughout the weekend, including popular daily sausage sizzles after racing.

The NSW Optimist Association and Woollahra Sailing Club extend their sincere thanks to all competitors, volunteers, officials, coaches, parents, sponsors and partner clubs whose efforts made the event possible.

Special thanks are extended to Woollahra Sailing Club, Hunters Hill Sailing Club, Double Bay Sailing Club and Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron for their invaluable support on and off the water, and to Cranbrook School, The Scots College and Ascham School for their participation.

The Organising Committee also acknowledges NB Sail Sports for their generous support and provision of competitor prizes.

The championship concluded with a memorable presentation ceremony on the Woollahra Sailing Club rigging lawn, with Sydney Harbour providing a spectacular backdrop as competitors, families and supporters gathered to celebrate the achievements of the weekend.

Championship Results

Open Optimist Fleet Overall

1. William Harris (WSC) The Windy City
2. Luca De Giosa (HHSC) Faccenda Sailing
3. Balthazar Roche (WSC) Paradise
4. Tom Griffiths (HHSC) Lazy Sunday
5. Jack McGuire (SYC) Hijacked

Open Optimist Fleet Female

1. Sijia Deng (HHSC)
2. Emerald Jacobsen (WSC/HHSC)
3. Aurelia Wilson (RSYS)
4. Lucy Lin (WSC)
5. Emma Tomkins (HHSC)

Intermediate Optimist Fleet Overall

1. Oliver Sun (RPAYC) Better Knot
2. Jamie Korn (GRSC) Sea Ranger
3. Max Hughes (RSYS) Far Out
4. Miles White (HHSC) Green Eyed Monster
5. Jasmine Wang (WSC/RPAYC) Lion Fish

Intermediate Optimist Fleet Female

1. Jasmine Wang (WSC/RPAYC)
2. Molly O'Donnell (Ascham)
3. Amelia McKelvey (Ascham)
4. Lara Dorling (RPAYC)
5. Ellery Chai (HHSC)

ILCA 6 Fleet Overall

1. Zac Howell (HHSC/DBSC)
2. Sophia Homes (BSYC)
3. Vaimooia Ripley (AYC/WSC/MHASC)
4. Sophie Borner Harrison (HHSC)
5. Roberto Blum (DBSC)

ILCA 6 Fleet Female

1. Sophia Homes (BSYC)
2. Vaimooia Ripley (AYC/WSC/MHASC)
3. Sophie Borner Harrison (HHSC)
4. Elouise Morgan (DBSC)
5. Isabella Taylor (RSYS/WSC)

ILCA 4 Fleet Overall

1. Monte Morse (RQYS) MonteGo
2. Addison Greenwood (RQYS/SYC) Addictive
3. Hiro Jacobsen (WSC/DBSC) EIS
4. Seb Behrens (RQYS) Sebbatical
5. Harper Spacey (DBSC/HHSC)

ILCA 4 Fleet Female

1. Addison Greenwood (RQYS/SYC)
2. Harper Spacey (DBSC/HHSC)
3. Olivia Aitken (DBSC/WSC)
4. Evie McGuire (SYC/RQYS)
5. Felicity Cameron (RSYS/WSC)

29er Fleet Overall

1. Mia Austin & Zara Marks (WSC) Zoom
2. Hamish Skelton & Sophie Drummond (B16SC) Cheeky
3. Kai Lawson & Andy Allt-Graham (WSC) Speed Racer
4. Goro Tomishima & Orlando Sadlik (WSC/Manly 16s/RPAYC) The Bus
5. Megan Bates & Joe Corbel (Manly 16s) Sketchy

29er Fleet Female

1. Mia Austin & Zara Marks (WSC) Zoom
2. Brooke Wilson & Grace Wu (Ascham) Zoomin!
3. Tayla Lees & Ash Napper (Manly 16s) The Kitchen Maker
4. Emily Armisted & Eva Lazarus
5. Mary Lou Doolan & Theo Andersen (DSC) Mary Rose

49er Fleet Overall

1. Max Nearn & Joshua Duncan-Andrews (WSC)
2. Zann Scrimgeour & Connor-John Hood (WSC)

Media Contact

NSW Optimist Association
East Coast Championships Organising Committee

Hosted by Woollahra Sailing Club, Rose Bay, Sydney NSW

Last updated 15:49 on 9 June 2026