NEWPORT, NSW — World championship medallists, national champions, and emerging sailors from Australia and New Zealand will meet on Pittwater for the Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship 2026, hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) from 11–15 November. Ten teams from five yacht clubs will compete in RPAYC’s Elliott 7 keelboats and battle for the Rockin’ Robin Perpetual Trophy, promising plenty of intrigue. Registration and practice take place on Wednesday 11 November, followed by four days of racing from Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 November.
The line-up brings together sailors with recent international podium finishes and national titles, alongside developing skippers ready to test their skills in one-on-one racing.
Daniel Kemp from RPAYC, a previous Harken winner, returns with a world championship silver medal. He skippered Australia to second at the 2026 Youth Match Racing World Championship in Middelfart, Denmark, in June, before finishing fifth at the Governor’s Cup in California. Kemp won Harken in 2024 and the Australian Youth Match Racing Championship in 2025, providing the host club with an experienced contender for another victory on Pittwater.
Louis Tilly, also from RPAYC, arrives as the newly crowned Australian Youth Match Racing champion after a 3–0 final win over Ben Crafoord at Geelong in October. His team includes national title-winning teammates and boasts a strong track record.
Ethan Fong from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron brings a Hardy Cup title and fresh form from New Zealand’s open match racing circuit. He won the 2026 Hardy Cup on Sydney Harbour and finished runner-up at the Oceanbridge New Zealand Match Racing Championship.
Robbie Wooldridge, also from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, returns with experience from Harken’s final four, having finished fourth in 2025. His 2026 campaign includes several strong results, adding depth to the New Zealand team’s challenge.
James Hayhoe from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron delivered his club’s first Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup victory earlier this year and has since added impressive results, bringing strong form to Pittwater.
The event not only features top-ranked sailors but also emerging talents vying for recognition. The championship promises four days of outstanding competition, and RPAYC is set to play a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of international sailing talent.
With support from naming rights sponsor Harken Australia, the championship brings ten teams together for four days of match racing on Pittwater. The scheduled racing area is near Scotland Island, with daily racing commencing at 1000hrs.
Images: Credit DownUnderSail – 2025 Harken Int. Match Racing Regatta
Follow the regatta on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/royalprincealfredyachtclub/
https://www.instagram.com/rpayc/
View the 2026 HARKEN International Youth Match Racing page HERE
#Harken #YouthMatchRacing #Sailing2026 #RPAYC #MatchRacing
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