The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania is hosting the 2026 Australian Optimist Dinghy Championship, attracting 150 sailors to Sandy Bay this week. The championship commenced with team racing on Friday, leading into competitive races starting on Saturday.
Sailors up to 15 years old from nearly every Australian state are participating, racing in the Open, Intermediate, or Green Fleet categories for less experienced competitors.
The championship includes prestigious trophies, such as the Australian Championship perpetual trophy for the first Australian overall in the Open category, the first Australian female, the Bennett Family Club Participation Trophy for the club exhibiting the most entries across all fleets, and the Peter Gilmour Trophy for the sailor showing the greatest improvement in their Open Fleet placement since the previous year.
The Optimist dinghy, a one-design single sailor craft, is widely used in learn-to-sail programs and competitive races. Many distinguished Olympic champions have their roots in this class.
This event also serves as a selection opportunity for the 2026 Australian Optimist Sailing Team, as the Optimist World Championship is scheduled for June 2026 in Morocco.
Australian International Optimist Dinghy Association President Jeremey Atkinson expressed enthusiasm about the turnout. He anticipates a week filled with competitive sailing and the forging of new friendships among participants across the nation.
The championship runs from 9th to 15th January 2026. For further details, visit the event website at: https://ryct.org.au/2026-australian-optimist-dinghy-championship/
Words and images: Jane Austin/RYCT Media
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he 2026 Musto Australian Optimist Dinghy Championship is supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania
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