The NSW 12 Foot Skiff sailing calendar has been announced and will be in full swing later this month, while the 63rd Interdominion Championship between Australia and New Zealand will open New Year’s racing in January 2026.
First up is the Upper Harbour Championship on 25 October, hosted by the Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club (LC12’SSC). On 8 November, Abbotsford 12ft Sailing Club will host the Parramatta River Championship.
By the end of these two events, competitors will have had ample time on the water in preparation for the NSW Championship, to be held over two weekends – 29 and 30 November (hosted by Sydney Flying Squadron) and 6 and 7 December (LC12’SSC).
Moving around the different venues gives everyone an opportunity to shine on their ‘local’ waters.
Following these events is the much-anticipated Interdominion, to be held from 3-10 January and sponsored by triSearch, a subsidiary of InfoTrack. triSearch helps streamline the conveyancing process. For more information, visit: www.trisearch.com.au
Support sponsors include Your Move Conveyancing: https://yourmoveconveyancing.com.au/ and Pete’s Home Loans: www.peteshomeloans.com.au.
The three companies are a good fit for each other and the community at large.
The Interdominion, held annually with venues alternating between Australia and New Zealand, will be staged on Sydney Harbour in 2026, hosted by the Australian 18 Footers League. Skiff sailors will converge from NSW, Queensland and New Zealand.
Last held in 2025 at Royal Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland, local sailors took the top two spots with Eli Liefting/Blake McGlashan (Monkey Wrench) winning, followed by Alex ‘Ginge’ Vailings/Sam Richardson (C-Tech). Third place went to Nick Press/Andrew ‘Noddy’ Hay (Sail Inc) from LC12’SSC in Sydney.
Since 2010, Press has won the Interdominion seven times, four of them with current teammate Hay, while Brett Hobson (Geotherm) has finished runner-up five times. Press, Hobson, and Kiwi sailor Vailings have consistently battled for the top spot, with Vailings winning on four occasions.
Press’ father, Murray, has sailed 12 footers for 30 years and represents LC12’SSC as skipper of Red Energy. He is also Treasurer of the 12ft Skiff Association, and states, “The season ahead, especially with the upcoming Interdominion in Sydney, will see a very strong fleet of 12s on the water.”
“Regular names at the top of the fleet in New Zealand and Australia will be challenged by new competitors like Terms & Conditions (Brad Phillips/Oscar Wilson) and Sydney Sailmakers (Josh Tasker/Brendan Jenkins) from the Sydney Flying Squadron,” Murray added.
“Also of great interest will be the return of Tim Bartlett from New Zealand, a six-time Interdominion champion who is known for his innovations in hull design.”
Race Secretary Glenn Farquhar, a veteran of the class since 1975, marks his 50th consecutive season this year. The upcoming Interdominion will be his 31st.
More at home in the crew role, Farquhar sails with Matt Peat on ‘The Bird’ and shares, “I’ve stayed in the class all this time as it makes sailing so technically compelling, competitive, along with the great enjoyment and companionship with the other competitors.”
“The good thing is that we are getting some new people into the class and we have room for anyone to come and have a go.”
Up to 20 skiffs are expected to compete in the opener on October 25. For spectators unable to get out on the water, Clarke Point, Woolwich is one of the best land-based positions to watch the race.
For all information on the 12ft Skiff class and its events, please visit: https://www.skiff.org.au/
Di Pearson/12ft Skiff media
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