Sights focused on major 18 footer success
Shaw and Partners Financial Services has set a high target in its seventh season of 18 footer sponsorship with their support of two brand new, Van Munster-built 18ft skiff hulls which will contest the 2026 Giltinan World Championship, presented by the Winning Group, on Sydney Harbour from March 7-15.
The two-pronged attack on the world’s greatest 18 footer championship is an international one with leading teams from Australia and New Zealand carrying the hopes of the sport community minded investment management firm.
Australia will be represented by the highly rated crew of Keagan York, Max Paul and Tom Anderson. New Zealand by Eli Liefting, Sam Street and Josh Schon, who recently won New Zealand’s major Championship, in Auckland.
Keagan York won the 2022-23 Australian Championship in his self-sponsored Finport Finance, and was a narrow runner-up to the Yandoo team of Tom Needham, Fang Warren and Lewis Brake at the 2025 Giltinan championship.
Shaw and Partners Financial Services, after a slow start to the season as the Australian 18 Footers League’s fleet suffered poor weather conditions, was recently runner-up (on count back) in the recent Australian Championship on the Sydney Harbour course.
Keagan is an experienced campaigner and is concentrating on the major championship, “Our focus for the upcoming JJs is to unseat Yandoo. We have a new sponsor, a new team and fingers crossed, we’ll get a different end result. I’ve had too many 2nds.”
“Adding Max to our team will bring a different perspective to boat preparation. More Olympic 49er process, less 18 footer”.
Eli Liefting and Josh Schon will be competing in their third Giltinan Championship together. In 2024 they showed their potential in the ASCC skiff to finish 6th in the 27-boat fleet over unfamiliar courses, however 2025 wasn’t so kind and a couple of poor race results left them with a disappointing 8th placing for the talented team.
Eli is an ex-world champion and currently campaigning in the IQFoil for New Zealand, Josh is a more experienced 18ft skiff competitor who also won the Cherub Nationals in 2025. New crew member Sam Street brings experience to an already talented team; he is a multiple Waszp world champion who also has a wealth of other experience.
Like Keagan York, Shaw and Partners Financial Services are looking for a change of fortune in a major 18ft skiff championship.
Having already been runner-up in the 2019-20 Australian Championship and 4th in the 2020 Giltinan world Championship with James Dorron, Harry Bethwaite and Tim Westwood, then 4th again at the 2021 Giltinan worlds with Jim Colley, Harry Bethwaite and Shaun Connor, Shaw and Partners has its eyes fixed on taking the record to a higher level.
The support of numerous sporting activities makes them worthy of achieving their goal at the JJs.
Shaw and Partners Financial Services is one of Australasia’s leading investment and wealth management firms with a growing footprint across Australia and New Zealand but its presence in Australian sport makes it much more than that as it partners with communities.
Shaw and Partners Financial Services website correctly claims it is a “socially responsible organisation deeply committed to giving back to the communities across Australia and New Zealand and supports meaningful causes. Our involvement in charitable, grassroots and community-based initiatives is driven by a clear purpose: to foster real, long-term change and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive society.”
Among the various sports that have benefitted from the generosity of Shaw and Partners are the NRL (National Rugby League) Many-Warringah Sea Eagles club, Surf Live Saving clubs across Australia (including the Iron Series, World Ocean Series and Coolangatta Gold) and Red Bull Ampol Racing team in the Supercars Championship as well the 18 footers partnership since 2019.
Who could possibly disagree when Shaw and Partners Financial Services claims it is “dedicated to nurturing and championing emerging talent. Our commitment to fostering success extends through our sponsorship initiatives, supporting individuals and organisations across Australia to excel in their respective fields.”
According to Australian 18 Footers League CEO Warren Sare, “The Australian 18 Footers League views Shaw and Partners as a ‘cornerstone’ partner that has helped sustain the high-performance culture of the 18ft Skiffs.”
“There are three key areas of impact:
Longevity and “Major Gun” Status
The League frequently refers to the Shaw and Partners team as one of the “big guns” of the fleet. Their tenure places them among the elite group of long-term sponsors (alongside names like Smeg and Rag & Famish Hotel) who provide the financial stability required to maintain the League’s world-class fleet. The League appreciates Shaw and Partners’ support goes beyond just a logo; they incorporate the club into team-building days and use race days to showcase the brand to international partners.”
“Supporting New Talent
A significant point of praise from the League is Shaw and Partners’ willingness to back young, elite sailors. The League highlighted the 2022-23 season when Shaw and Partners supported a new-look team led by Jim Colley. The League credited this partnership for giving 49er Olympic aspirants a platform to compete at the highest level of skiff racing during their off-seasons. Emma Rankin is an up and coming female skiff helm that sailed on the Shaw and Partners skiff in the 2024-2025 Season. For the 2025-26 season, Keagan York and his team are consistent front-runners in major championships like the NSW and Australian titles.”
“Expansion into New Zealand
I have significant enthusiasm for Shaw and Partners’ involvement in the New Zealand (Auckland) fleet. With the Kiwi fleet currently in a “rebuild phase” following the pandemic, the League views the firm’s cross-Tasman involvement as a vital bridge.”
“The ANZAC Challenge: The New Zealand rivalry is essential to the prestige of the JJ Giltinan World Championship. Shaw and Partners extending their influence and supporting initiatives that involve NZ sailors strengthens the international “product” of 18ft skiff racing.”
“Strategic Growth: As League CEO, I really appreciate that having a high-profile corporate brand like Shaw and Partners engaged in both regions helps professionalize the class and encourages other international sponsors to join the “Formula One of the water.”
“18ft skiff sailing is iconic to Sydney Harbour… our association with the club is something that brings us great pride.” — Earl Evans, Co-CEO of Shaw and Partners
The New Zealanders are just as appreciative of Shaw and Partners Financial Services as the League.
According to the kiwis 18 footer great, Graham Catley, “We’re thrilled to have Shaw and Partners Financial Services on board. The fact they’re backing both New Zealand and Australia makes for some even more exciting on water rivalry. It puts a bit more pressure on everyone to show up and perform, and from our side of the Tasman, we’re very happy to take that challenge on.”
Eli Liefting, the very talented skipper of Shaw and Partners Financial Services NZ, “It’s pretty exciting having a solid partner with Shaw and Partners Financial Services backing us. We’ve got a brand-new boat under us, everything feels fresh and sharp, and we’re really focused on getting the most out of ourselves every time we hit the water. Bring it on!”
Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League Ltd.
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