Some of the world’s best SB20 sailors will gather on the River Derwent this weekend to compete for the 2026 Australian Championship title.
A fleet of 14 boats will line up for the 2026 Storm Bay Apparel® SB20 Australian Championship in Hobart, with divisions for Open, Women, Masters, and Youth.
The upcoming SB20 world championship, set for 2029 in Hobart, has inspired many skippers to regroup and welcome newcomers for their first national challenge.
Notable competitors include Sydneysiders David “Chappo” Chapman and Harry West, who will join Tasmanian skipper Michael Cooper on Export Roo. Cooper and Chapman previously achieved second place at the 2017 SB20 World Championship in Cowes, and they look forward to a strong performance with SB20 rookie West joining the team.
Cooper is particularly eager to avoid last year’s mishap where Export Roo lost its mast during a race amidst 30-knot winds at the final event of the 2025 Australian Championship.
Defending champions, Porco Rosso, skippered by SB20 Association of Australia President Paul McCartney, along with Will Sargent and Eddie Reid, remain fierce competitors to beat. Sargent, gaining recognition on the professional sailing circuit, and Reid, a former SB20 world champion, are determined to secure a second consecutive title for Porco Rosso.
However, the competition will be intense, especially from the 2024 national champion Nick Rogers, who leads Karabos alongside tactician Cole Dabner. They will also welcome GBR sailor Ian Turnbull, currently residing in Hobart, who is fresh off competing at the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship in Sydney.
Consistent performers during this year’s pennant season include Rebellion, skippered by Class Vice President Stephen Catchpool, accompanied by crew Nick Jones and Lucas Upton. Catchpool commented on the competitive nature of the fleet and expressed optimism about their chances under lighter breezes.
High-calibre competitors also include South Australia’s Darren “Twirler” Jones, Sydneysider Paige Caldecoat, and local talent Sam Tiedemann sailing with skipper Eirini Marios on Ares Racing. Marios and Caldecoat were part of the successful teams at the 2023 World Championship, while Jones and Tiedemann previously ranked fourth at the 2024 SB20 World Championship in Dubai.
The Youth division will showcase two teams from The Hutchins School Sailing Academy battling against the Fahan School Alumni team, while Chloe Abel will skipper Cook Your Own Dinner alongside her mother Jill in hopes of clinching a win in the Women’s Division.
The championship schedule includes ten races over three days, starting at 1pm on Friday 27th of March, with the same timing set for Saturday and Sunday, coordinated by Race Officer Colleen Darcey.
For daily updates, visit the SB20 Australia Facebook page and to check results, head to the Derwent Sailing Squadron website: https://dssinc.org.au/race_events/2026-sb20-australian-championships/
@DerwentSailingSquadron @SB20AUS
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