Australian Yachting Championships
IRC | Derwent Sailing Squadron | January 3–5, 2025
I had the opportunity to race aboard Tenacity, a highly competitive Mills 41 owned by John Lawrie and skippered by Vaughan Lynch, during the 2025 Australian Yachting Championships (IRC) on Hobart’s iconic Derwent River. Tenacity’s reputation as a proven campaigner is well established, including multiple Rolex Sydney to Hobart starts with a crew noted for precision, discipline and tactical excellence.
I served as mast person for this regatta. In this role I was responsible for controlling the halyards and top sails, coordinating hoists and drops, and ensuring clean, efficient sail changes—critical components when racing upriver and across the shifting breezes of the Derwent.
Being part of Tenacity’s crew, even for a brief period, presented a rare learning environment: surrounded by sailors operating at the highest club and championship level, I was able to observe how experience, preparation and clear communication translate into split-second execution under pressure.
The team on board functioned like a well-oiled machine. Every manoeuvre—whether a tack through the river’s tidal bands, a hoist in light air or a gybe in river chop—was carried out with precision and decisive timing. The professionalism and calm control demonstrated by the crew deepened my appreciation for coordinated teamwork, situational awareness and the importance of role clarity in high-stakes racing.
Racing on Tenacity reinforced my understanding of the demands of fleet-racing at championship intensity, particularly in the Derwent’s notoriously fickle conditions. The level of skill and communication required to keep sails flat, speed optimised and systems aligned during close-quarters competition provided valuable insights that I have since applied to other high-performance racing contexts.
Being entrusted with the mast position alongside this experienced group was both humbling and highly educational. It further strengthened my competencies in sail handling, race rhythm and execution under pressure, and enhanced my ability to integrate quickly into a performance-driven crew environment.
Blogs
Salt
On Salt, a 2021 Solaris 50, I sailed as bow person with James Marshall and Ian Fankhanel. Festival of Sails 2026 saw us win Division 1, thanks to a skilled team including tactician, navigator, and Peter Dowdney. Aaron Cole added sail expertise, highlighting how experience and teamwork make a high-performance yacht excel.
Shimmer
Shimmer, beautifully maintained by Steve Twentyman, is sailed regularly from Safety Beach Sailing Club. With a versatile sail inventory including J0, Code 0, and asymmetric spinnakers, I’ve gained experience across bow, trimming, and helming roles. Calm leadership and preparation make her a reliable platform for club racing, ORCV coastal events, and Category 2 offshore races.
S2H 2025
White Spirit – 80th Rolex Sydney to Hobart
I completed the 2025 Rolex Sydney to Hobart as 2IC and Navigator aboard White Spirit (Beneteau First 50), skippered by Cyrus Allen. Responsible for routing, weather analysis and sail strategy, I supported the helm and watches through a demanding, multi-system offshore race.
Cabbage Tree Island Race
As part of White Spirit’s Hobart preparation, I helmed through extreme conditions in the Cabbage Tree Island Race, sailing into a rapidly building southerly front with apparent winds peaking at 74 knots. The execution and boat handling through the system resulted in my appointment as Second in Command for Hobart.
Airlie Beach Race Week 2025
Airlie Beach Race Week tested sail handling, coordination, and timing across long island legs. On Y Knot, managing the bow meant staying ahead of multiple sail changes under shifting trade-wind breezes. The combination of fast offshore conditions, complex courses, and a skilled crew made it an intense and rewarding experience.
Magnetic Island Race Week 2025
YKnot’s performance demanded anticipation, precise sail transitions, and constant awareness on the bow. The warm waters, trade winds, and tight fleet kept everyone alert, while the relaxed island atmosphere ashore highlighted why offshore racing is as much about people and experience as it is speed.
Cartouche
Cartouche – Beneteau First 50 (RBYC)
I’ve sailed regularly aboard Cartouche, a Beneteau First 50 owned by Steven Fahey, across club racing, ORCV events and major regattas. Racing within a family-run team sharpened my big-boat awareness and offshore readiness, while reinforcing consistency, preparation and calm decision-making across varied conditions.
Scarlet Runner
Delivering Scarlet Runner back to Melbourne with owner and skipper Rob Date after the Melbourne–Hobart Westcoaster was a masterclass in offshore seamanship. A demanding Bass Strait crossing shifted the focus from racing to judgement, restraint, and boat care, highlighting the balance between performance and protection that defines successful offshore sailing.
Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster
Sailing down the coast on Rushour during the Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster was a masterclass in offshore performance. Heavy Bass Strait and Southern Ocean conditions tested endurance, decision-making, and watch management, while the multihull’s record-breaking pace reinforced the importance of disciplined boat handling, smart routing, and protecting both crew and craft over a long, exposed passage.
Belle – IY60
Racing offshore on Belle, a 60-foot IY60, was a high-intensity test of big-boat handling. Loads, sail changes, and manoeuvres demanded precision, anticipation, and clear communication. The ORCV Coastal Sprint format sharpened situational awareness, adaptability, and crew coordination, giving valuable experience in managing a large offshore yacht under pressure while maintaining speed and control.
QuiXotic
QuiXotic is a well-sailed X-41, but what stands out most is the crew. Andrew Middleton and the team create a positive, easygoing environment on board, focused on enjoying the racing and sailing well together. It’s a boat where good company and good sailing go hand in hand.
Rushour
On Rushour, I completed the 430nm Southport to Sydney qualifying passage, involved in all aspects of high-performance multihull sailing. From helming in varied conditions to managing asymmetric spinnaker trim and watch rotations, this experience built the discipline and confidence I carried directly into the Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster.