After four days of thrilling competition on Hobart’s River Derwent, Hutchins Gold has claimed the 2026 Australian Secondary Schools Team Racing Championship following an outstanding display of teamwork, strategy and skill.
Hosted by Sandy Bay Sailing Club and supported by major sponsor the Australian Maritime College, the championship brought together some of Australia’s best young sailors to compete in one of the sport’s most exciting disciplines.
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 opponents. Success relies on teamwork, communication and split-second decision-making, creating an exciting spectacle both on and off the water.
The championship featured sailors aged 12 to 18, with younger and older competitors often racing together in the same boat. The event also highlighted the continued growth of female participation in sailing, with all-girls teams competing alongside all-boys and mixed crews in the Open Division.
Across the four-day regatta, competitors completed 273 races in a wide range of conditions before the top four Open Division teams and top two Girls Division teams progressed to Sunday’s finals series. With a strong south-westerly breeze of 20–25 knots, the finalists were tested in challenging conditions that demanded exceptional boat handling and teamwork.
The Petite Final saw Hutchins Magenta take on The Southport School in a best-of-three contest. After the teams shared the opening two races, Hutchins Magenta secured victory in the deciding race to finish third overall.
The Girls Division Final featured Moreton Bay College and Ascham Red. Moreton Bay College won the opening two races to claim the 2026 Girls Division National Championship, successfully defending the title it won in 2025.
The Open Grand Final saw Hutchins Gold face Scots 1 in another best-of-three series. Hutchins Gold secured two race wins to be crowned the 2026 Australian Secondary Schools Team Racing Champions.
The top three teams from both the Open and Girls divisions have now earned the opportunity to represent Australia at the Interdominion Team Racing Championships, to be held at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in Auckland, New Zealand, this October.
Words and photos: Amy Potter
#Sailing #AustralianSchools #TeamRacing #YouthSailing #SailingChampionships
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