Exciting Racing at Day 1 of the 2026 Mick Hole Winter Regatta

The opening day of the 2026 Mick Hole Winter Regatta delivered everything competitors and spectators could hope for, with four one-design fleets enjoying spectacular winter conditions on Pittwater. A steady 12-knot south-southeasterly breeze, sunshine, and flat water allowed the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club Race Committee to complete an excellent day’s racing, with three races scheduled for the Etchells, VX Ones, Elliott 7s, and 5.5 Metres, with a possible fourth race if time allowed.

Close racing characterised the Etchells throughout the day. The introduction of Vakaros RaceSense technology ensured accurate starts, although several competitors were caught over the line in the opening race and were forced to restart before quickly rejoining the fleet.

As the afternoon progressed, the racing intensified. Race 2 saw 1518 Flying High lead around the windward mark from 1483 Great White Hunter and 1361 Surprise, before the fleet set colourful spinnakers for the run to the leeward gates. A trailing Etchell briefly suffered a “wineglass” in its spinnaker, allowing the faster VX Ones to rapidly close the gap as the fleets converged.

The VX One class racing, together with the Elliott 7s and Int. 5.5m Classes, showcased its trademark speed, with boats accelerating away under asymmetric spinnakers. VX302 Bolt rounded the leeward gate in the lead after an impressive downwind leg, while VX347 Rapture and VX248 Vamos consistently demonstrated outstanding pace throughout the afternoon.

One of the highlights of the day was the friendly rivalry between the RPAYC Youth Development Squad and the Intermediate Youth Development Squad sailing the Elliott 7s. The young sailors produced mature performances, with Elliott 3 pulling off an outstanding start from the pin end in race 2, taking the lead. Throughout the final race, Elliott 3 remained locked in an entertaining battle with the CUPRA-backed Elliott 5, providing one of the closest contests on the course.

The 5.5 Metre fleet added another dimension to the regatta, demonstrating elegant, tactical sailing as crews worked every wind shift across Pittwater in pursuit of valuable championship points.

The final Etchells race of the day provided a fitting conclusion, with Fyling High leading the fleet across the finish line after another tightly contested race to take three bullets for the day.

With sunshine, steady breeze, and close racing across every class, Day One has set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the 2026 Mick Hole Winter Regatta. Racing resumes on Sunday, where competitors will return to Pittwater to contest the remaining races and decide the overall regatta champions.