It was a frustrating day for 150 Optimist dinghy sailors and race management at the 2026 Musto Australian International Dinghy Championship in Hobart due to light winds, causing most of the day’s sailing to be postponed.
On the second last day of racing, the start time for the Intermediate Fleet was adjusted to take advantage of lighter breezes after the fleet struggled with heavy conditions on the River Derwent the day prior. However, the initial breeze soon died to four or five knots, leading to the race committee shortening the course and postponing the start for the Open Fleet racing.
Fabio Moeller from Fremantle Sailing Club (FSC), who had been leading the Intermediate Group, is still at the top despite finishing in 16th place today. He ended with 28 points, maintaining a three-point lead over Huon Jones from Maroochy Sailing Club (MSC), who secured third place. Humphrey Hager from Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (RFBYC) sits in third on 54 points, and Isabel Yu from Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS) remains in fourth overall with 60 points, also being the leading female competitor. Lachlan King from Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) is fifth with 61 points, while Tasmania’s Jonathan Molloy from Tamar Yacht Club enjoyed the softer conditions, winning the only race for the Intermediate Fleet and moving into sixth place overall with 63 points.
As no consistent breeze was present, the fleets were returned to shore for further instructions. Later, the second race for the Intermediate Fleet was cancelled, but the Open Gold and Silver Fleets managed to complete one race. In the Open Gold Fleet, Leo Gillard from New Caledonia achieved his second win of the regatta, but Walter Heeley from Woollahra Sailing Club has maintained a strong lead for the Championship title with 11 points, 26 points ahead of Nicholas Cooper from RFBYC/FSC. Will Rogers, the 2025 Australian Optimist Champion from WSC, is tied with Cooper for third place on 37 points. Sijia Deng from Hunters Hill Sailing Club led the female competitors in the Gold Fleet, though her score of 29 today saw her drop to ninth with 54 points overall.
Luca Von Bibra from RQYS leads the Open Silver Fleet with 114 points, while Lachlan Prior from Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania/Sandy Bay Sailing Club is in second with 123 points, equal with Aurelia Wilson from RSYS, who is also the leading female in the Silver Fleet.
In a highlight for the 17-strong Green Fleet, they successfully completed three short races near the shore. Victoria’s Ace Hill demonstrated exceptional sailing skills by winning all three races, finishing the day with 17 points. Hamish King from RQYS is in second with 28 points, followed by Jack Jones from MSC in third with 30 points. The camaraderie among the Green Fleet participants was evident with friendly banter and sharing of lollies, indicative of a supportive atmosphere as they learn and grow.
Thursday is the final racing day of the Championship with potentially three races left for the Open and Intermediate Fleets and three for the Green Fleet. The Gold Fleet competitors are vying for a top five position, which offers qualification for the Australian Optimist Sailing Team to compete in the 2026 Optimist World Championship in Morocco this June.
Full results are at: https://sailingresults.net/?ID=82277
The regatta website is at: https://ryct.org.au/2026-australian-optimist-dinghy-championship/
Words and images: Jane Austin/RYCT Media
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