The nation’s best young team sailors will take to the waters of Hobart as the 2026 Australian Secondary Schools Team Racing Championships get underway at Sandy Bay Sailing Club.
Running from 8–12 July, the championship will see 26 teams from across Australia compete on the River Derwent, with more than 200 sailors taking part in one of the largest Australian Secondary Schools Team Racing Championships held in the past decade.
The event is proudly hosted by Sandy Bay Sailing Club and supported by major sponsor, the Australian Maritime College (AMC), Australia’s national institute for maritime education, training and research.
“The Australian Maritime College is proud to support this event that develops teamwork, decision-making, resilience and performance under pressure,” said AMC Principal Mal Wise.
“These qualities help foster confident, capable young people with a strong connection to the ocean and can open pathways to successful careers in the maritime industry.”
Schools from Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia will battle for the national title while also competing for selection opportunities to represent Australia at the Australia versus New Zealand Interdominion Championships.
Sandy Bay Sailing Club Commodore Simon Hooper said hosting the championship was a fantastic opportunity for both the club and Tasmania’s sailing community.
“It’s a privilege to welcome the country’s best young team racers to Hobart for this year’s championship,” Hooper said.
“Events like this are only possible thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers, officials, surrounding clubs and partners, and we’re proud to showcase our club and the River Derwent on the national stage.
“We know the racing will be incredibly competitive, and we’re looking forward to seeing Australia’s future sailing stars in action over the coming days.”
Team racing is one of the fastest-paced and most tactical forms of sailing, with teams of three boats, each carrying two sailors, working together strategically to achieve the lowest combined score against their opposition.
Success relies on teamwork, communication and split-second decision-making, making for an exciting spectacle both on and off the water.
The event brings together sailors aged 12 to 18, with younger and older competitors often racing together in the same boat. It also continues to showcase the growth of female participation in the sport, with all-girls teams competing alongside all-boys and mixed teams in the Open Division, while also contesting a dedicated Girls Division.
This year’s championship will see a significant increase in the number of all-girls teams taking to the water.
Several schools will be ones to watch throughout the week in the Open Division. Previous champions Cranbrook School and Scots College from New South Wales return looking to claim another national title, while local hopes rest with The Hutchins School, which has steadily climbed the ranks after finishing third in 2024 and runner-up in 2025.
Racing on home waters, The Hutchins School will be hoping local knowledge gives it the edge in its pursuit of the championship.
In the Girls Division, reigning champions Ascham from New South Wales return after an impressive 2025 campaign that saw the school claim the national title. They will face strong competition from Tasmania, with both St Michael’s Collegiate School and Fahan School returning to challenge. Both schools have previously claimed national honours and will be eager to defend home waters against the visiting interstate competition.
With four days of close racing, tactical battles and national bragging rights on the line, Hobart is set to host an outstanding showcase of youth sailing as Australia’s best school team racers go head-to-head for Australian championship honours.
Words: Amy Potter
Photos: Jodi Lodge
#Sailing #Hobart #TeamRacing #YouthSailing #Australia
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