Rose Bay, Sydney – June 2026
The 2026 East Coast Championships concluded in spectacular fashion over the King’s Birthday Long Weekend, with 156 boats, more than 30 support RIBs and hundreds of sailors, coaches, officials and families converging on Sydney Harbour for one of Australia’s largest youth sailing regattas.
Organised by the NSW Optimist Association and hosted by Woollahra Sailing Club, the championship brought together competitors from across the East Coast, including a strong contingent from Queensland, to compete in Optimist Green Fleet, Intermediate Optimist, Open Optimist, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, 29er and 49er classes.
The event has filled an important gap in the Australian sailing calendar since the Sail Sydney Regatta ceased operating more than two years ago, providing a major youth sailing regatta on Sydney Harbour once more.
Sydney delivered its trademark winter sailing conditions throughout the weekend, with westerly winds ranging from 6 to 15 knots under clear blue skies, enabling race officials to complete a full schedule of racing across both championship courses and all fleets.
Competitors enjoyed a uniquely Sydney Harbour experience, with dolphins making regular appearances, seaplanes taking off and landing overhead, and Sydney ferries slowing to allow fleets to pass safely through the harbour. The start line featured a familiar presence with “Blues” the Labrador calmly observing proceedings from the pin end boat.
Onshore, Woollahra Sailing Club transformed into a vibrant regatta village, with boats covering the rigging lawns and foreshore. Families, supporters and members of the public enjoyed the colourful atmosphere throughout the weekend, while local council representatives praised the professionalism and organisation of the event.
The regatta was a significant logistical achievement, with over 900 boat movements safely managed through the Woollahra Sailing Club launching facilities during the three-day championship.
A highlight was the participation of 20 Optimist Green Fleet sailors, many competing in their first major regatta. Their enthusiasm and sportsmanship reflected the strength of grassroots sailing and the bright future of the sport. Across all fleets, competitors showcased exceptional skill and determination, highlighting the next generation of Australian sailing talent.
The success of the championship was made possible by an outstanding team of volunteers, race officials, safety crews and club members, whose hundreds of hours ensured a seamless event both on and off the water. Competitors and families were treated to excellent hospitality throughout the weekend, including popular daily sausage sizzles after racing.
The NSW Optimist Association and Woollahra Sailing Club extend their heartfelt thanks to all competitors, volunteers, officials, coaches, parents, sponsors and partner clubs whose efforts made the event possible.
Special thanks are extended to Woollahra Sailing Club, Hunters Hill Sailing Club, Double Bay Sailing Club and Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron for their invaluable support, and to Cranbrook School, The Scots College and Ascham School for their participation.
The Organising Committee acknowledges NB Sail Sports for their generous support and provision of competitor prizes.
The championship concluded with a memorable presentation ceremony on the Woollahra Sailing Club rigging lawn, with Sydney Harbour providing a stunning backdrop as competitors, families and supporters gathered to celebrate the weekend’s achievements.
Championship Results
Intermediate Optimist Fleet – Overall
- Oliver Sun (RPAYC) – Better Knot
- Jamie Korn (GRSC) – Sea Ranger
- Max Hughes (RSYS) – Far Out
- Miles White (HHSC) – Green Eyed Monster
- Jasmine Wang (WSC/RPAYC) – Lion Fish
Intermediate Optimist Fleet – Female
- Jasmine Wang (WSC/RPAYC)
- Molly O’Donnell (Ascham)
- Amelia McKelvey (Ascham)
- Lara Dorling (RPAYC)
- Ellery Chai (HHSC)
Open Optimist Fleet – Overall
- William Harris (WSC) – The Windy City
- Luca De Giosa (HHSC) – Faccenda Sailing
- Balthazar Roche (WSC) – Paradise
- Tom Griffiths (HHSC) – Lazy Sunday
- Jack McGuire (SYC) – Hijacked
Open Optimist Fleet – Female
- Sijia Deng (HHSC)
- Emerald Jacobsen (WSC/HHSC)
- Aurelia Wilson (RSYS)
- Lucy Lin (WSC)
- Emma Tomkins (HHSC)
ILCA 6 Fleet – Overall
- Zac Howell (HHSC/DBSC)
- Sophia Homes (BSYC)
- Vaimooia Ripley (AYC/WSC/MHASC)
- Sophie Borner Harrison (HHSC)
- Roberto Blum (DBSC)
ILCA 6 Fleet – Female
- Sophia Homes (BSYC)
- Vaimooia Ripley (AYC/WSC/MHASC)
- Sophie Borner Harrison (HHSC)
- Elouise Morgan (DBSC)
- Isabella Taylor (RSYS/WSC)
ILCA 4 Fleet – Overall
- Monte Morse (RQYS) – MonteGo
- Addison Greenwood (RQYS/SYC) – Addictive
- Hiro Jacobsen (WSC/DBSC) – EIS
- Seb Behrens (RQYS) – Sebbatical
- Harper Spacey (DBSC/HHSC)
ILCA 4 Fleet – Female
- Addison Greenwood (RQYS/SYC)
- Harper Spacey (DBSC/HHSC)
- Olivia Aitken (DBSC/WSC)
- Evie McGuire (SYC/RQYS)
- Felicity Cameron (RSYS/WSC)
29er Fleet – Overall
- Mia Austin & Zara Marks (WSC) – Zoom
- Hamish Skelton & Sophie Drummond (B16SC) – Cheeky
- Kai Lawson & Andy Allt-Graham (WSC) – Speed Racer
- Goro Tomishima & Orlando Sadlik (WSC/Manly 16s/RPAYC) – The Bus
- Megan Bates & Joe Corbel (Manly 16s) – Sketchy
29er Fleet – Female
- Mia Austin & Zara Marks (WSC) – Zoom
- Brooke Wilson & Grace Wu (Ascham) – Zoomin!
- Tayla Lees & Ash Napper (Manly 16s) – The Kitchen Maker
- Emily Armisted & Eva Lazarus
- Mary Lou Doolan & Theo Andersen (DSC) – Mary Rose
49er Fleet – Overall
- Max Nearn & Joshua Duncan-Andrews (WSC)
- Zann Scrimgeour & Connor-John Hood (WSC)
Thank you to our sponsors BoatCrewGear.com and NBsailsports.
For further information, media enquiries, and event updates, please contact the NSW Optimist Association and view their Instagram and Facebook accounts.
@nswioda #EastCoastChampionships #WoollahraSailingClub
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