As the 2025 challenge had to be cancelled because of poor weather, many of WA’s best and high-performance sailors were eager to hit the water and compete for ‘bragging rights in the 2026 Pacer Racer Challenge.
Excitement started to build at the race briefing when the teams were announced. The delight on some of the junior sailors faces when their ‘sailing buddy’ was announced was one of the highlights of the day. Teams then needed to rig their boats and get ready to race.
On an overcast day and Father’s Day to boot, and with the breeze blowing at around 15 knots the long awaited 2026 challenge started.
With conditions continuing to be demanding, and the water choppy, sailors had to use all their skills and knowledge to get around the course. There were several near misses and with a couple of craft overturning adding to the excitement for those watching on water and onshore.
This year’s challenge brought out the best as the 22 teams battled the conditions and each other to complete the 5-race program. The last “medal race” was a double-points scoring race.
Teams were then allowed to drop their worst score from the first four races which resulted in a very tight finish to the regatta with just 1 point separating the first four places.
Teams came back into the club house and got changed and warmed up. A BBQ was ready for the hungry sailors. The presentation of trophies and prize money took place with many young crews learning a lot from their skippers, and skippers learning a lot from their junior crew.
RTYF would like to thank the team that helped make the day a success, particularly the WAIS team of Matt Jerwood and Tristian Brown, and the RFBYC dinghy team and bosun Alex Bootsma. The Foundation is committed to supporting this event each year as it builds connections within the WA sailing community across clubs, classes and ages. It provides an opportunity for younger sailors the learn from some of WA’s best.
The day was declared a success and filled with fun and enjoyment, so much so that the date for the 2027 Challenge has already been confirmed – so please put 19 September 2027 in your diary.
Placings
1st: 14 points, Jasper Stay and Jayden Epar
2nd: 15 points, Zac Littlewood & Harry Cooper
3rd: 16 points, Conor Nicholas & Ollie Harry
4th: 17 points, Nia Jerwood & Isabelle Hobson
5th: 20 points, Sophie Jackson & Lili May Weller
6th: 30 points, Axel Fleet & Yuhuai Chen
7th: 40 points, Thomas Cooper & Lachlan Nayler, AND Patrick Scally & Matthew Sanders
8th: 42 points, Patrick Scally & Matthew Sanders
9th: 45 points Hugh Healy & Celina Trinh
10th: 49 points Nicholas Cooper & Zac Lee
11th: 54 points Michael Compton & Daniel Saladine
12th: 57 points Caitlin Shaw & Lucy Sawyer
13th: 60 points Luke Carrick & Clara Olsen
14th: 62 points Oskar Bromberger & Alexander Eyles
15th: 64 points Finley Symonds & Alice Cameron
16th: 70 points Sam Hart & Mia Anastazjew
17th :74 points Alice Travlos & Charlie Purt,
18th: 75 points Seth Till & Sophie Brazier
19th: 83 points Jack Brazier & Tatiana Crowther
20th: 96 points Murray Duthie & Victoria Chernoff
21st: 103 points Robyn Tutty & Adeline Sanders
1 crew retired – 8 Klara Travlos & Genevieve Phelan (TBC)
