Walter Heeley showcased exceptional skill on the initial day of the three-day finals of the 2026 Australian Optimist Dinghy Championship held in Hobart, winning both races and finishing the day with nine points, a significant 15 points ahead of last year’s champion, Will Rogers, who ended the day with 26 points.
Representing the Woollahra Sailing Club (WSC) in NSW, Heeley dominated the Open Gold Fleet, finishing the qualifying rounds in first place with five victories from seven races, positioning himself strongly for the remaining two days of competition.
In the standings, Charlie Purt from the South of Perth Yacht Club and Seb Tucker from WSC are vying for third and fourth place, currently at 28 and 29 points, respectively.
Sijia Deng from Hunters Hill Sailing Club in NSW holds ninth overall with 39 points, distinguishing herself as the leading female sailor in the fleet.
The River Derwent presented challenging conditions, featuring a south-south-westerly breeze that shifted slightly eastward during the afternoon, resulting in choppy waters and a steep wave state for the 150-strong fleet.
In the Intermediate Fleet, Fabio Moeller from Fremantle Sailing Club maintained his lead with 15 points after securing first and fourth places today. Huon Jones from Maroochy Sailing Club in Queensland remains in a strong second place after finishing second in the first race and recovering from an 18th place in the second race to conclude the day with 28 points.
Jozee Fowler from Southport Yacht Club in Queensland holds third overall in the Intermediate Fleet and is the leading female sailor in this group, trailing Jones by just ten points after solid performances following a shaky start.
William James from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania moved up to fourth place following a victory in the last race, finishing the day with 47 points. Isabel Yu, Anne Edwards, Humphrey Hager, and Jack Sturm are tightly bunched on 48 points, reflecting the competitiveness in the middle rankings, with notable penalties affecting their scores.
Luca Von Bibra from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron leads the Open Silver Fleet with a total of 104 points. Tasmania’s Lachlan Prior holds the second position with 115 points, while Summer Newman from Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club also stands at 115 points, being the first female sailor in this category.
In the Green Fleet, Ace Hill from Sorrento Sailing and Couta Boat Club in Victoria leads with consistent performances, amassing a total of 18 points. Hamish King from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is in second with 21 points after his first race win, while Jack Jones from Maroochy Sailing Club holds third with 24 points. Florence Gartrell from Mornington Yacht Club in Victoria is the leading female sailor in the Green Fleet with 61 points.
As the championship progresses, six races are still on the agenda for the Open and Intermediate Fleets, with two days remaining. A second discard will come into play after the completion of 11 races. Competitors must maintain flawless scores and navigate the busy start lines effectively to stay in contention.
The championship is set to conclude on 15 January 2026. Full results can be accessed at: https://sailingresults.net/?ID=82277. Further details can be found on the event’s website at: https://ryct.org.au/2026-australian-optimist-dinghy-championship/
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