Tasmanian Sabre sailors will compete in the 2026 Sabre State Championship in Hobart this weekend, part of the 2026 Banjo’s Shoreline Crown Series Bellerive Regatta.
The two-day event will be hosted by the Bellerive Yacht Club on the River Derwent, expecting around 20 Sabre sailors, making it the largest one-design fleet of the regatta.
Current state champion Chris Boon, who convincingly won last year’s title, aims to replicate his success in this year’s competition.
Despite not participating this year, Tasmanian Sabre Class President Matt Westland foresees a weekend filled with tight racing. He anticipates strong competition for Boon from the Followes brothers, Jason and Dan, as well as John Cerutty from the Lindisfarne Sailing Club, and Chris Keil from Midway Point Yacht Club.
Richard Bingham also enters with high expectations, having performed notably in the 47th Sabre National Titles held in Queensland earlier this year.
“I’m wrapped to see the diversity in the Sabre fleet—there’s a spot for everyone, from newcomers to seasoned veterans,” said Westland.
Jo-Anne Verrier, a Sabre sailor and past recipient of the 2025 Crown Series prize for determination, is eager for her fourth consecutive state title contest, competing with a new boat.
“I love the sense of freedom and escape that I experience while Sabre sailing, along with the challenges of racing,” said Verrier, who is adapting to her new fibreglass Sabre.
The fleet plans to race between three and seven times over the weekend, with the first warning signal set for 1pm on both days. Titles available include the Open Sabre Championship, Women’s, Junior, and Veteran titles, alongside performance handicap.
Designed by Rex Fettell OAM, the Sabre dinghy suits Australia’s choppy sailing conditions, being the largest single-handed non-Olympic class in the country. The dinghy, made from fibreglass or plywood, is light and easy to build, catering to sailors of all ages and transitioning from junior sailing to competitive dinghies like the NS14.
The Sabre Class is active across various Tasmanian locations, including Midway Point, Deviot on the Tamar River, Montrose Bay, and now at Bellerive Yacht Club following the Lindisfarne Sailing Club’s relocation to Kangaroo Bay.
Sailors interested in joining the class or reigniting their passion can contact Matt Westland at mattwestland88@gmail.com.
Weather forecasts indicate mixed breezes and warm temperatures, promising an exciting weekend for the fleets.
Follow the regatta live on the Bellerive Yacht Club Facebook page and their website at https://byc.org.au/racing/banjos-shoreline-crown-series/.
About the Crown Series: The Banjo’s Shoreline Crown Series Bellerive is Tasmania’s premier combined keelboat and off-the-beach sailing regatta, catering to all age groups and classes. The upcoming event will also see the Tasmanian Yachting Championship for keelboats, hosted by the BYC until 2028. Racing spans from February 20th to February 22nd for keelboats, while the Off-The-Beach Classes race over the weekend. Supporters and the Bellerive community will gain access to onshore entertainment at the Bellerive Yacht Club.
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