Matador and Beau Ideal have been crowned overall winners of the 2026 Pallas Capital Gold Cup in their respective classes, following the final act of the series held over the weekend at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club on Pittwater.
After four acts for the TP52 fleet and three for the Super 40s, the 2026 series concluded with tight racing across both divisions, reinforcing the growing strength of combined Grand Prix keelboat racing in Australia.
In the TP52 fleet, David Doherty’s Matador secured overall victory in both TPR and IRC following another remarkably consistent series across Sydney Harbour, Port Stephens and Pittwater.
“We’re really happy with that,” said Doherty.
“A little disappointed today, but that’s how it rolls. The Smuggler guys did a good job all weekend. All our crew did a great job as usual, no mistakes, just consistency has paid for us.
“It’s a great series. Craig and Terry have done a great job. You guys have done a great job. It’s been really good.”
The final act itself delivered a late shake-up in the standings, with Sebastian Bohm’s Smuggler claiming the Act 4 win on TPR from Peter White’s First Light and Matador, while First Light took the IRC win from Smuggler and Matador.
“Oh, we’re stoked,” said Bohm.
“It’s our best regatta for the year. We knew we had to come out with a good result today to stay ahead, and we managed to pull it off and win on TPR.
“The whole weekend was very close racing, and that’s what makes this series really fun and interesting. It’s very competitive, and we’re all out here giving our best and bringing our A-game.”
Smuggler finished second overall in both TPR and IRC, while Gordon Ketelbey’s Zen secured third overall in both handicaps.
For First Light, the Pittwater finale marked a breakthrough result for a campaign that has steadily built momentum over several seasons.
“This has been building for a while,” said tactician James Wilkie.
“We’re four years deep into it now, and we’ve gradually been getting better and better and building our consistency. It’s really incredible that it’s come together this weekend.”
Owner Peter White said the combined TP52 and Super 40 format was continuing to strengthen the fleet and the broader Grand Prix scene in Australia.
“It’s a wonderful association and group to get into,” said White.
“Bringing the 40s in has been a great thing for the fleet. We’re looking bigger and better. We want the internationals to come.
“Great camaraderie, good racing. Please do it, guys. Everybody come along.”
Wilkie added: “The whole fleet is getting closer and closer. Coming into today, there were four boats separated by one point at the top of the leaderboard. It makes it incredibly exciting.”
The Corinthian battle also remained alive through to the final act, with Koa and Highly Sprung trading honours throughout the series. Koa, chartered by Lee Hawksley, claimed Corinthian honours in Acts 1, 3 and 4, while Mark Spring’s Highly Sprung took the win in Act 2, giving Koa the overall Corinthian title for the 2026 Pallas Capital Gold Cup.
In the Super 40 fleet, Karl Kwok’s Beau Ideal dominated the overall standings, winning SFR, ORC and IRC after a standout series across all acts of the Gold Cup.
Despite light and difficult conditions on Pittwater for the finale, Kwok praised the race management team for maximising the available racing.
“We were looking for better wind, but the wind was there,” said Kwok.
“I think the organisers did a swell job. They managed to put all these races in and took advantage of every little bit they could squeeze out of it.”
Chris Dare’s Ambition secured second overall on SFR and IRC, while John Bacon’s Edge finished third overall in SFR and ORC after another highly consistent weekend on Pittwater.
Beau Ideal also swept the Act 4 podiums across SFR, ORC and IRC, ahead of Ambition and Edge.
In the Super 40 Corinthian division, Mike Richie’s Revolver claimed the overall honours after another consistent performance across the series.
Kwok said the growing depth of the Australian Super 40 fleet was a major attraction for the Beau Geste program.
“There are so many fast 40s in town and we like to come down and play,” he said.
With Beau Ideal set to remain in Australia for the rest of the year, Kwok also hinted the team expects to continue racing locally through the remainder of the season.
Highly Sprung owner Mark Spring also reflected on the growth of the series and the increasing impact of youth sailors entering Grand Prix racing through the Gold Cup program.
“When we started this three or four years ago, there were 10 of us owners in a room,” said Spring.
“Now I think there were 35 owners and stakeholders in there this morning. It’s fantastic having the Super 40s involved with us and there were some really positive conversations about where we can take the sport.”
Spring’s Highly Sprung campaign has become known for integrating young sailors into top-level racing, with a number of emerging crew members gaining valuable experience throughout the series.
Among them is tactician Cole Tapper, who recently claimed victory at the prestigious Congressional Cup in the United States, one of match racing’s most respected international events.
“You can’t say no to these guys,” said Spring.
“They’re so keen, their boat work’s amazing, the banter’s great, and they’re keeping us young.”
Spring also said the combined TP52 and Super 40 concept was continuing to build momentum.
“We’re going to put more effort into it, more sponsorship into it, and see where it goes. We’re excited.”
Light and difficult conditions across Pittwater on the final weekend created classic snakes and ladders racing, with every shift and pressure line proving critical as crews fought through a series-deciding finale.
Off the water, the Gold Cup community also continues to grow. John and Lyndall Bacon provided supporters the chance to join for on water viewing on the Saturday of the finale weekend, alongside a Ladies and Supporters lunch hosted at RPAYC on the Sunday.
The 2026 Pallas Capital Gold Cup has now concluded after successful acts hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Sail Port Stephens and Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, with the series continuing to establish itself as one of the strongest Grand Prix keelboat initiatives in the Australian sailing scene.
For more information, news and results head towww.goldcupregatta.com.
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Thanks to title sponsor Pallas Capital, and also Zhik for supporting the class.
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