Export Roo skipper Michael Cooper has emerged as the leader of the 2026 Storm Bay Apparel SB20 Australian Championship after a commendable performance on the first day of racing. Partnered with 2025 Tasmanian Sailor of the Year, David Chapman, and newcomer Harry West, Cooper sailed confidently on his home waters, winning two out of four races and finishing the day on nine points, two ahead of defending champion Porco Rosso (Paul McCartney).
Ares, helmed by Eirini Marios, concluded the day in third place with 14 points, leading the Women’s division. Indy Cooper, skippering Aeolus, secured a win in the first race and currently sits in fourth place.
Nick Rogers’ Karabos holds fifth position, facing an arbitration penalty due to an infringement during penalty turns for a previous incident.
The conditions for the races featured a southerly breeze of 10-12 knots, with occasional gusts reaching 15 to 18 knots, challenging sailors as they navigated the River Derwent.
Cooper, noted for her athleticism, found sailing alongside her father, Brett, a highlight of the day. “It was pretty epic, especially with a new team. Getting a race win was unexpected, but a great feeling. We focused on getting clear air, doing the one percenters from the start, committing to the shifts on the right side, which worked out well. It’s been fun sailing with Dad, and I’ve learned a lot from him,” she commented.
The Hutchins School Sailing Academy, skippered by Charlie Birch, also made a strong showing, currently ranked seventh with 31 points, sharing the score with Rebellion (Stephen Catchpool). Birch expressed satisfaction with their team’s performance as they aimed for a good standing in the Youth category.
Race Officer Colleen Darcey successfully conducted four races and praised the fleet’s quality. “Today’s conditions exceeded expectations, and we managed to run four races, helpful for getting ahead in the regatta, especially with lighter conditions expected in the following days. Overall, the fleet performance was fantastic apart from one race necessitating a general recall due to eager starters,” she stated.
With six races remaining in this ten-race regatta, competition will continue at 11am on Saturday and Sunday. Full results can be found here.
For daily updates, visit the SB20 Australia Facebook page and to check results, head to the Derwent Sailing Squadron website: https://dssinc.org.au/race_events/2026-sb20-australian-championships/
@DerwentSailingSquadron @SB20AUS
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