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The Australian Yachting Championships are set to be run alongside some of Australia’s biggest keelboat regattas after Australian Sailing today locked in the host clubs of the event for the next four years.

Australian Sailing is intentionally setting the schedule for this significant event well in advance based on feedback from keelboat owners. The event will be shared by clubs in four states after strong submissions were lodged from across the country in response to an Expression of Interest to host the event.

Port Lincoln Yacht Club in South Australia (2023), Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club in New South Wales (2024), Derwent Sailing Squadron in Tasmania (2025) and Southport Yacht Club in Queensland (2026) were the clubs selected, with the Yachting Championships to be run either in conjunction with or alongside existing keystone events.

These include Port Lincoln’s Adelaide to Port Lincoln Race and Port Lincoln Race Week, Newcastle’s SailFest, the River Derwent as the finish of the ROLEX Sydney Hobart and Southport’s conclusion to the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast race.

“We are delighted to be able to share the Australian Yachting Championships with a diverse selection of clubs that will bring sailors together under a wide range of sailing conditions” commented Australian Sailing CEO Ben Houston.

“We thank all the clubs who provided Expressions of Interest to host the event and look forward to working with the successful clubs over the next four years. It is particularly pleasing to see the event go to three deserving first-time hosts.”

Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club hosted a successful Championships in 2014, while the three other clubs are all hosting Australia’s National Championships for IRC racing for the first time.

The event is returning to South Australia for the first time since 2002, when Stephen Ainsworth’s Swan 48 Loki won a closely fought event hosted by the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron and the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia.

Steve Kemp, Chairman of the Organising Committee from Port Lincoln Yacht Club, commented “The Port Lincoln Yacht Club are honoured and excited to be announced as hosts of the 2023 Australian Yachting Championships and cannot wait to put on an amazing yachting regatta in some of the best sailing waters in South Australia.”

Visit the  Australian Yachting Championships website  here for more information.

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Champions crowned at australian yachting championships.

The 2023 Australian Yachting Championships, as part of the Teakle Classic Lincoln Week Regatta in Port Lincoln, has come to an end with champions across the range of divisions crowned.

The first three keelboat divisions all held racing on IRC as part of the championships, with a few additional regatta competitors involved on either AMS or ORC ratings.

The multihull division was also part of the Australian Championship with a strong fleet coming together to race on OMR handicap.

There was also a regatta Sportsboat fleet competing on both SMS rating and PHS handicap.

Geoff Boettcher’s Secret Men’s Business has officially got the monkey off the back, taking out the triple crown of the Adelaide-Lincoln race, the Lincoln Week Regatta, and the Australian Championship that combines results from the two events.

He held off a fast finishing Zen, skippered by Gordon Ketelbey, and becomes the first South Australian yacht in history to claim the Australian Yachting Championship crown.

Secret Mens Business took out Division 1

“We went in there pretty nervous today because in two races we had to get one win and at least a second,” Boettcher said.

“Even at the top mark, we were second in both races so we had to fight for every inch mate.”

Finishing in third place after a great final day was Nick George’s Another Hooligan, which finished one and two points respectively ahead of fourth-placed Quest and fifth-placed Smuggler.

A strong fleet of Division 2 teams came together for an incredible battle on Boston Bay this week, with a range of yachts of all different designs giving everyone a chance at the front.

At the end of the regatta it was Andrew Smith’s Melges 32, Cockwomble, which came away with a great win after a strong final day ahead of Alan Woodward’s Reverie in second and Julian Newton’s MC38 Game On 2 in third.

Local Sydney 47 Fresh, skippered by Andy Dyer and owned by Kym Clarke, finished the regatta in fourth place after leading into the final day, which showed just how close the racing was.

Cockwomble won Division 2

Cockwomble’s Andrew Smith said it was a great experience bringing the boat over from Tasmania and being part of the event.

“It was incredible, six months ago we made the decision to come and do the IRC nationals in Port Lincoln … we’ve had a fantastic time and it’s been a great event in an unbelievable place,” he said.

It was the battle of the Sandringham boats for the overall Division 3 championship, with Alex Newman’s Arch De Triomphe and Brett Averay’s Bacardi going toe-to-toe in an exciting tussle all week.

The Archambault 31 came away with the win in the end, with the chance to knock off their home club rivals not lost on the team.

“We had a great battle with Bacardi, it was ironic when we looked at the draw for the divisions that we’re battling with a local (Melbourne) boat that we know really well and BA (Brett Averay) that we know very well,” Newman said.

“We had some really tight races with them today, they pushed us all the way to the limit, which we knew they would and we were lucky enough to beat them today.”

Arch De Triomphe won Division 3

The two local Sydney 32s had a great battle to round out the podium in an evenly matched competition for ultimate local bragging rights.

In the end it was Brad Dennis and Matt Stephens skippering Lincoln Mentor that finished ahead of Simon Turvey’s Born to Mentor on a countback.

Both yachts had three thirds and three fourths on IRC with Lincoln Mentor besting its rival in the last race to take the podium result.

SPORTSBOAT DIVISION

The Sportsboat fleet saw a massive group of boats from a range of different designs come together with a Melges 24s ending up the best of the bunch on the SMS rating system.

Ken Abbott’s Outlier took the overall SMS win, closely followed by Todd Bartlett’s Bohica in second and Lee Haakmeester’s Outrage-us in third.

Outlier won the Sportsboat division

“Some of these boats are very, very fast and have very hot crews,” Abbott said.

“A 30-year-old boat like a Melges is still holding its own as I guess shown now, but just a fantastic regatta with a very strong sportsboat fleet.”

On PHS however, which saw a much larger fleet on the results sheet, Outrage-us ended up taking the win while Bohica finished second and local boat Mighty Fine Lyons, skippered by Bill Van Riet, finished third.

MULTIHULL DIVISION

The multihulls had the closest racing of the regatta this week with three teams all close to taking out the championship going into the last race.

In the end it was Gerald Valk’s Crosshair that took the regatta win, closely followed by its sister ship Carbon Credit, skippered by Peter Hawker, in second.

Carbon Credit finished second in the multihull division

Craig Unthank’s Sknot was in the mix for most of the event but slipped to third overall on the final day.

Valk said the racing was incredibly close and to be able to win a multihull Australian Championship in Port Lincoln was a great way to cap off the event.

“We love sailing in Port Lincoln, it’s nice flat water, multis love flat water and with the Australian Yachting Championship on top of that, well that just pulled a lot of boats in for the event,” he said.

As the event comes to an end, the Teakle Classic has set its dates for next year with the Adelaide-Lincoln race starting on 16 February 2024 and the Lincoln Week Regatta running from 19-22 February 2024.

Next year’s Australian Yachting Championships will head to the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club as part of the iconic SailFest event in April 2024.

Photos by Alex Dare

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MEDIA RELEASE: Yachting Australia announces the Australian Yachting Championship

Wednesday, 11th November 2015

Yachting Australia today announced a new name for what was known as the IRC Australian Championship and confirmed the locations of this premier yachting regatta for the next four years. The Australian Yachting Championship provides the opportunity to secure the future of Australian IRC, ORCi and PHS racing, providing the highest quality of competition in a variety of locations.

Following consultation and a review with competitors and boat owners in those categories over the past 12 months, the Board of Yachting Australia have approved a name change to the Australian Yachting Championship , previously IRC Australian Championship , aimed at increasing the profile and awareness of the regatta and the high performance of the competitors.

Also approved was the locations of the Championship for the next four years to allow time for owners and crew to schedule their attendance. Yachting Australia will work with the Host Clubs to prepare for the Championship and deliver a successful event, meeting the expectations of competitors, partners, media and other stakeholders.

A bid process has recently been completed with Clubs invited to apply to host the event in the next three years with applications received from Clubs in five States.  Balancing the Clubs’ performance, experience and infrastructure against a criteria including racing, off-water access, scheduling and location has resulted in Host Clubs being finalised for the next four years of competition.

2016    Hamilton Island Yacht Club                August 20-27 2017    Cruising Yacht Club of Australia         March 2018    Sandringham Yacht Club                   January 2019    Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania          January

President of Yachting Australia and owner of Ichi Ban , Matt Allen, is pleased the Host Clubs have been confirmed, saying “locking in the locations for the next four years shows the commitment by Yachting Australia to build the profile of the Championship.  It also provides certainty and allows owners and crews the lead-time to plan their campaign while providing all competitors variable sailing conditions over the next four years. 

“Changing the name to the Australian Yachting Championship gives it a clearer definition but it doesn’t mean that those who have taken out the IRC Australian Championship will be deleted from the history books, all achievements remain!”, Matt explained. 

“After a successful Championship at Hamilton Island in 2015, we’ve decided to return in 2016 for a number of reasons.  All crews enjoy the superb and varied racing conditions and courses set against a stunning backdrop and the ability of Glenn Bourke and his team to deliver an outstanding event.  It also feels appropriate that the sailing community be the first to welcome back the Australian Sailing Team as they return directly from the Rio Olympics as so many sailors taking part at Hamilton Island have been loyal supporters of the athletes for many years.  Those supporters include Hamilton Island and the Oatley family who have been long-term partners of Yachting Australia and the Australian Sailing Team”, Matt added.

In March 2017, the Australian Yachting Championship will be hosted by CYCA and Commodore John Cameron said, “We are pleased to be hosting this event and look forward to setting the scene for future regatta development in Port Jackson. This is shaping to be a competitive event and we look forward to a long association with Yachting Australia to further these events”.

Returning to Victoria in 2018, Sandringham Yacht Club’s Commodore Kate Mitchell said, “It will be great to welcome the Australian Yachting Championship to Sandringham Yacht Club in January 2018.  We have some of the best racing waters in Australia and our Yacht Club has fantastic viewing opportunities for family and friends to watch what should be some terrific racing”.

In welcoming the Australian Yachting Championship to Hobart in January 2019, Commodore Matthew Johnstone from Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania said, “We are excited to be able to conduct this event on behalf of Yachting Australia, and what great timing to be immediately following on from the 75 th Rolex Sydney to Hobart”.

Further details of the Australian Yachting Championship 2016 – 2019 will be confirmed as they are finalised.

For further Information    Jane Gordon, Yachting Australia  0438 605 131 / [email protected]

Photo credit: Andrea Francolini

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Champions crowned in Port Lincoln

The 2023 Australian Yachting Championships, as part of the Teakle Classic Lincoln Week Regatta in Port Lincoln, has come to an end with champions across the range of divisions crowned.

The first three keelboat divisions all held racing on IRC as part of the championships, with a few additional regatta competitors involved on either AMS or ORC ratings.

The multihull division was also part of the Australian Championship with a strong fleet coming together to race on OMR handicap.

There was also a regatta Sportsboat fleet competing on both SMS rating and PHS handicap.

Geoff Boettcher's Secret Men's Business has officially got the monkey off the back, taking out the triple crown of the Adelaide-Lincoln race, the Lincoln Week Regatta, and the Australian Championship that combines results from the two events.

He held off a fast finishing Zen, skippered by Gordon Ketelbey, and becomes the first South Australian yacht in history to claim the Australian Yachting Championship crown.

"We went in there pretty nervous today because in two races we had to get one win and at least a second," Boettcher said.

"Even at the top mark, we were second in both races so we had to fight for every inch mate."

Finishing in third place after a great final day was Nick George's Another Hooligan, which finished one and two points respectively ahead of fourth-placed Quest and fifth-placed Smuggler.

A strong fleet of Division 2 teams came together for an incredible battle on Boston Bay this week, with a range of yachts of all different designs giving everyone a chance at the front.

At the end of the regatta it was Andrew Smith's Melges 32, Cockwomble, which came away with a great win after a strong final day ahead of Alan Woodward's Reverie in second and Julian Newton's MC38 Game On 2 in third.

Local Sydney 47 Fresh, skippered by Andy Dyer and owned by Kym Clarke, finished the regatta in fourth place after leading into the final day, which showed just how close the racing was.

Cockwomble's Andrew Smith said it was a great experience bringing the boat over from Tasmania and being part of the event.

"It was incredible, six months ago we made the decision to come and do the IRC nationals in Port Lincoln ... we've had a fantastic time and it's been a great event in an unbelievable place," he said.

It was the battle of the Sandringham boats for the overall Division 3 championship, with Alex Newman's Arch De Triomphe and Brett Averay's Bacardi going toe-to-toe in an exciting tussle all week.

The Archambault 31 came away with the win in the end, with the chance to knock off their home club rivals not lost on the team.

"We had a great battle with Bacardi, it was ironic when we looked at the draw for the divisions that we're battling with a local (Melbourne) boat that we know really well and BA (Brett Averay) that we know very well," Newman said.

"We had some really tight races with them today, they pushed us all the way to the limit, which we knew they would and we were lucky enough to beat them today."

The two local Sydney 32s had a great battle to round out the podium in an evenly matched competition for ultimate local bragging rights.

In the end it was Brad Dennis and Matt Stephens skippering Lincoln Mentor that finished ahead of Simon Turvey's Born to Mentor on a countback.

Both yachts had three thirds and three fourths on IRC with Lincoln Mentor besting its rival in the last race to take the podium result.

MULTIHULL DIVISION

The multihulls had the closest racing of the regatta this week with three teams all close to taking out the championship going into the last race.

In the end it was Gerald Valk's Crosshair that took the regatta win, closely followed by its sister ship Carbon Credit, skippered by Peter Hawker, in second.

Craig Unthank's Sknot was in the mix for most of the event but slipped to third overall on the final day.

Valk said the racing was incredibly close and to be able to win a multihull Australian Championship in Port Lincoln was a great way to cap off the event.

"We love sailing in Port Lincoln, it's nice flat water, multis love flat water and with the Australian Yachting Championship on top of that, well that just pulled a lot of boats in for the event," he said.

As the event comes to an end, the Teakle Classic has set its dates for next year with the Adelaide-Lincoln race starting on 16 February 2024 and the Lincoln Week Regatta running from 19-22 February 2024.

Next year's Australian Yachting Championships will head to the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club as part of the iconic SailFest event in April 2024.

2 Unlimited won Division B - Beau Outteridge pic

Australian Yachting Championships 2020: Winners decided

Matt Allen has claimed a third successive Australian Yachting Championship title today in Hobart, with Ichi Ban claiming victory in four races and finishing third in Race 5, with Race 6 abandoned for Division A.

Hosted by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania over three days, Allen, who won Division A with his TP52 from another TP52, Zen (Gordon Ketelbey) and the RP66, Alive (Phillip Turner), arrived at the Championships having won the 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart.

“Our aim for the last six months was the Sydney Hobart, Blue Water Pointscore and this event,” he said, having won all three. “It was also nice to be part of the winning Southern Cross Cup team (sailed in conjunction with the 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart) with Gweilo (Matt Donald/Chris Townsend’s TP52) and St Jude (Noel Cornish’s Sydney 47) too.”

“We couldn’t be happier. To defend the Championships successfully is a real thrill. It was the best fleet in some years. And to sail in the challenging conditions on the Derwent, you had to be on your game all the time. It was great to see support by Sydney Hobart boats and the locals.”

The Sydney yachtsman acknowledged his competition: “It was a real tussle, including yesterday and today with Zen. We had really tight racing with them and the big boats – Alive and Chinese Whisper (David Griffith). It was great to see Chinese Whisper hit her stride today – she took off and was just gone,” he said of the boat that won Race 5.

Allen said, “The Championships were well organised and well run by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. They went all out and put on food for us every afternoon, making it easy to catch up with the other crews.” Others concurred, made to feel very welcome at the Club.

In Division B, two Farr 40’s fought throughout for the overall win. The local favourite, Greg Prescott with 2 Unlimited, and Western Australia’s Enterprise, owned by Anthony Kirke, stayed within three points of each other throughout. Keiran Mulcahy’s Soozal (NSW) was always in the mix too.

Following today’s two races, 2 Unlimited prevailed by two points with a drop in place. So close were the two, they finished equal second in Race 5, and then Enterprise won the final race from 2 Unlimited. Soozal came in third overall, two and a half points behind Enterprise.

“The competition was fantastic; very close the whole time, basically the same as it was in the Sydney Hobart,” Prescott said.

“They’re good friends on Enterprise; in fact one of the crew is staying with me. Those guys pushed it all the way. After Day 1, we decided not to cover each other all the time. Soozal is pretty good and had Chris Nicholson on board, so we had to watch them.

“One of my best friend’s is Twirler (Darren Jones) and I saw one of my other friend’s, Steve McConaghy at the dock, so it was good to have them with me. And my son Lachlan, who also did the Hobart with me.

“We’re very happy we had such a great regatta and a great few days of sailing. And it’s a good thing for mainlanders to bring their boats to Hobart for a bit more sailing,” Prescott ended.

A similar situation occurred in Division C, between John Warlow’s Beneteau First 40.7, Ocean Crusaders (Qld) and the local boat, Drew Nathan’s MDB Whistler, which finished one and a half points apart in first and second place respectively.

The Queenslanders prevailed over Whistler, with another Tasmanian boat, Shaun Tiedemann’s Sydney 36 C/R, Philosopher (Tas), rounding out the top three with a drop in place.

Warlow commented, “We’re pretty happy. We weren’t sure how we’d go, but thought we’d have a crack anyhow. The competition was fabulous and the fact that the win came down to the wire was incredible. The Tasmanians gave us a hard time,” he said of Whistler and Philosopher and Midnight Rambler sailed a great race yesterday.

“We’ve had a ball here with everyone else and stayed together as a team. It was a huge amount of fun.”

RYCT Commodore, Tracy Matthews, thanked all competitors, the race committee and the volunteers for making the regatta a success.

Australian Sailing thanks its regatta partners: Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania, and North Sails (Official sailmaker for the 2020 Australian Yachting Championships).

For results and to follow the Australian Yachting Championships, please visit:  www.yachtingchamps.org.au

Full results: http://results.ryct.org.au/ayc20/ayc20/series.htm?ty=80813

By Di Pearson/Australian Yachting Championships

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