The 12 foot skiff fleet is preparing for the NSW Championship, scheduled over four days across two weekends: 29-30 November at Sydney Flying Squadron and 6-7 December at Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club (LCSSC).
After completing the NSW Upper Harbour and Parramatta River Championships, the sailors have time for practice and tuning ahead of the main event.
Young competitors Huon Saul and Simon Mercer from Abbotsford,12ft Sailing Club, are looking forward to racing. They recently acquired the boat Hit & Run and have worked on improving its performance.
“We got the boat together for the second half of last season and didn’t finish races till the end. Brett Hobson owned it at one point and brought it up to date a bit, and now we’ve brought it further up to date. It’s starting to come together,” Saul mentioned.
Transitioning from the Cherub class, both sailors are enthusiastic about their experience with the skiff, learning from established competitors while enjoying the thrill of racing. “It’s good to be scared again. I feel like a little kid starting out sailing again,” Saul remarked, noting the satisfaction of sailing a boat they can tune according to their preferences.
Meanwhile, Josh Tasker and his crew, Brendan Jenkins, are also making their mark with their boat Sydney Sailmakers. After finishing second in the Upper Harbour Championship and narrowly missing a podium finish in Parramatta River, Tasker shared, “This is my second season in the 12s. It’s a fun but difficult boat to sail.” When assessing their competition, he acknowledged the top teams’ experience and consistency, particularly focussing on Sail Inc. and Geotherm.
Other notable competitors include Dave Winning and Cam Gundy aboard Your Move Conveyancing, as well as Murray Press and Mark Muirhead on Red Energy, both teams who have shown strong performances. Nick Press and Andrew Hay of Sails Inc. lead the pack with their recent successes in championships, alongside Geotherm’s Brett Hobson and Peter Nicholson, capable of challenging for top positions.
The NSW Championship is not just a showcase of skills but also a test of resilience. Crews are focused on minimising mistakes, avoiding breakages, and limiting capsizes, which play crucial roles in securing victory.
Following the NSW Championship, the spotlight will shift to the upcoming Interdominion, held from 3-10 January 2026, a highly anticipated event pitting Australia against New Zealand on the scenic Sydney Harbour.
This championship, supported by triSearch, Your Move Conveyancing, and Pete’s Home Loans, promises not only thrilling sailing action but also spectacular views for spectators. For further details on the 12ft Skiff class and its events, visit https://www.skiff.org.au/.
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