The Australian 18 Footers League’s 2026-27 season commenced on a surprising note with Race 1 of the seven-race SIXT Spring Championship held in a light ENE breeze over a 3-buoy course on Sydney Harbour.
With current world champion skipper John Winning Jr unable to sail Yandoo, his father, the legendary John ‘Woody’ Winning, took over and surged from behind in the final stages to secure victory over another former world champion, Michael Coxon, who was substituting for Joel Beashel on Thurlow Fisher Lawyers.
Yandoo, helmed by John Winning alongside Fang Warren and Lewis Brake, seized the lead on the penultimate leg of the race, finishing 24 seconds ahead of Thurlow Fisher Lawyers, which comprised Michael Coxon, Blake McGlashen, and Trent Barnabas.
The Kitchen Maker, with Jordan Girdis, Josh Feldmann, and Jacob Broom, claimed third place, 1 minute and 4 seconds behind, followed by Lazarus Capital Partners, Balmain, and Shaw and Partners Financial Services.
Seventeen skiffs competed off Double Bay, generating excitement among supporters eager to witness new teams face established rivals. Early season races posed challenges as crews worked to build teamwork in new boats.
From the start, Yandoo and Thurlow Fisher Lawyers were prominent, crossing a large group in the middle before heading to the first set of weather marks at Beashel Buoy. Yandoo rounded the red mark first but soon lost the lead to The Kitchen Maker and Thurlow Fisher Lawyers while sailing under spinnakers to the wing mark off Shark Island.
Vaikobi followed Yandoo, with Smeg, Balmain, Sixt, Club Marine, 18 Footers Bar & Restaurant, Shaw and Partners, and Rag & Famish Hotel trailing closely.
Ocius and Killer Coffee Co sailed their new boats for the first time, marking the day as a learning opportunity for their crews.
The Kitchen Maker led by approximately 30 seconds as they gybed for the run between islands but suffered a setback by rounding the incorrect mark, allowing Thurlow Fisher Lawyers to take a 10-second lead over Yandoo as the fleet returned to Beashel Buoy.
Yandoo regained the lead on the beat, but Thurlow Fisher Lawyers countered, establishing a 20-second advantage for the spinnaker run down the course.
Intense competition ensued for the following positions, with constant changes in placements among the eight contenders.
The final beat to the weather mark saw Thurlow Fisher Lawyers dominate, leading by 45 seconds over Yandoo. However, as they sailed into light air, Yandoo capitalised and surged past, securing another victory for Woody and the Yandoo team.
Results and images from the race are available, with the race also being the first of 18 races for the Mondiale VGL Season Pointscore, concluding on Sunday, February 21.
SailMedia provided livestream coverage of the event, available for viewing at 18FootersTV or on the club’s website.
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