Day 1 start of the 2025 Nationals

91 sailors across 21 boats contested the 2025 J/70 Australian Championship hosted by Sandringham Yacht Club.  The fleet this year had a wide calibre of sailors and a great mix of ages, with five interstate teams, seven youth teams and 14 Corinthian teams.

Congratulations to SYC’s Ambition, Chris Dare, David Chapman, Jeremy O’Connell and Lockie Dare for taking out the title! Dare and his team sailed a consistent series, never falling outside the top three.  Second was David Doherty’s ‘Matador’ and third Steve Proud’s Swish.

 Ambition enjoying the downwind planing conditions on Port Phillip Bay

The event had a range of conditions from steady sea breezes to wet, wild and fresh to frightening on Port Phillip Bay. 

David Doherty's Mattador

A huge thank you to our volunteer measurers supporting the event Trent Goldsack (NSW), Lowa Paszko (VIC) and James Sly (VIC).  Thanks also to our Race Officer Dean Robson and his outstanding team of volunteers.

The event was supported by Ensign Yachts and North Sails.  Ensign the Australian Distributor of the J/70 and J/Boats provided prizes including clothing and discounts on Club Marine insurance that were welcomed by boat owners.

North Sails has been a long term supporter of the J/70's and this year provided a new J2 Jib for the winner of the Mixed Plus division.

Winners of the Mixed Plus division Jabiru (L to R) Andrew Lee, Danielle Gerace, Massimo Henderson (skipper), North's Billy Sykes, Rhian Hughes, Olivia Lee, North's Aaron Cole

Thank you to Alex Dare and Downunder Sail who covered the event and provided some great photos in the event gallery.

Results

1^st Open                           Ambition (Chris Dare, David Chapman, Jeremy O’Connell, Lockie Dare)
2^nd Open                         Matador (David Doherty, James Corrie, Hamish Hardy, Joe Turner)
3^rd Open                          Swish (Steve Proud, William Sykes, Finn Alexander, Shaun Connor)

1^st Corinthian                   Fubar (Jack Eickmeyer, Tom Holmes, Lachie Weber and Ethan Hosking)
2^nd Corinthian                  Ora (Josh Griffith, Daniel Conacher, Felix Duell, Max O'Connell, Oliver Van Der Slot)
3^rd Corinthian                  Audacity (Matthew O’Brien, Mark Hughes, Peter Hackett, Sean O'Brien)

1^st Mixed Plus                   Jabiru (Massimo Henderson, Danielle Gerace, Rhian Hughes, Andrew Lee, Olivia Lee)
2^nd Mixed Plus                 Mistral (Carla Maertens, Augustas Buividas, Henry Turner, Jack Neill, Zoe Jackson)
3^rd Mixed Plus                  Auretta (Emma Maertens, Brooke Robson, Ellen Juhasz, Alexandra Mclennan, Lulu Di Sciascio, Zara Challis)

1^st Youth                            Fubar (Jack Eickmeyer, Tom Holmes, Lachie Weber and Ethan Hosking)
2^nd Youth                          Tramontana (Hayden Brown, Brandon Demura, Harrison Sly, Mats Maertens)
3^rd Youth                           Ora (Josh Griffith, Daniel Conacher, Felix Duell, Josh Griffith, Max O'Connell)

Full Results