The 2026 Mick Hole Winter Regatta concluded on Pittwater following a final day of close, light-air racing across the Etchells, Elliott 7s, VX Ones and International 5.5 Metres.
An earlier start was scheduled for Sunday, with three races planned to complete the regatta. The fleet initially waited in a light southerly-easterly before a north-easterly breeze established across the course at approximately 5–8 knots. The Race Committee set the course on an axis of 090 degrees, with the windward mark positioned approximately 0.7 nautical miles from the start.
The lighter conditions placed a premium on maintaining momentum, finding clear air and identifying the stronger bands of pressure moving across Pittwater.
The Etchells produced some of the closest racing of the day. Race 2 concluded with five boats tightly grouped on the approach to the finish, with only seconds separating the leaders. The compressed finish ensured that every place remained important to the overall pointscore ahead of the final race.
Flying High couldn’t deliver a repeat of day one’s superb results, with races 2 and 3 for the day knocking them down the podium standings, while Great White Hunters’ consistency was rewarded with a win in the final race and earned them 1st place overall.
The regatta also provided the Etchells fleet with valuable preparation ahead of the NSW State Championship later this year, allowing crews to refine their starting, manoeuvres and light-air boat speed against the backdrop of Pittwater.
Sportsboats brought together the Elliott 7s, VX Ones and 5.5 Metres. Race 1 for the day featured three eager boats identified as OCS by the Vakaros RaceSense system and the Race Committee, requiring them to return to the pre-start side of the line before the green light to continue racing.
Among the standout performances was Daniel Kemp and the crew aboard the CUPRA Elliott 7, boat No. 5. The team demonstrated excellent speed and crew work to finish first in two races several boat lengths ahead of the next boat, a VX One. Great practise before he heads to the USA to compete in the Governors Cup.
Antares (Int. 5.5m), skippered by Theresa Hamilton, championed the day with a 3rd, 2nd and then 1st for the day to take second place in the Class Handicap category.
Before the final race for the day, the Race Committee cleared the starting area and reconfigured the course to suit the developing breeze. The fleets then completed one last two-lap windward-leeward race, with the remaining points deciding the final standings before crews returned ashore for the regatta presentation and celebrations.
A special thank you goes to Vakaros for the use of its RaceSense race-management system throughout the weekend. The technology provided competitors and officials with precise start-line information, including immediate identification of boats on the course side at the starting signal, rounding and gate marks, and contributed to efficient and accurate race management.
The event was conducted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club over two days of windward-leeward racing on Pittwater, with strong competition across four distinct one-design fleets
FINAL PLACINGS – TOP 5
Etchells – Etchells
1 Great White Hunter (EAUS1483), David Dunn (CYCA) 2 5 4 3 4 1 19
2 Flying High (EAUS1518), JC Strong (CYCA) 1 1 1 1 13 8 25
3 Flirting with Chaos (EAUS1026), Garry Gudmunson (RPAYC) 10 3 3 8 2 3 29
4 Northern Havoc (EAUS1119), Jason Antill (RPAYC) 6 9 10 5 1 2 33
5 Ripping Yarns (EAUS1213), Peter Bellingham (Brush) (RSYS) 4 13 2 2 3 11 35
VX One & Sports Boats – CBH
1 RPAYC Elliott 5 (CUPRA), Danel Kemp (RPAYC) 2 3 3 1 1 2 12
2 Antares (5.5AUS29), Theresa Hamilton (RPAYC) 3 6 6 3 2 1 21
3 RPAYC Elliott 3 (Youth Development), Hugo Butterworth (RPAYC) 1 7 5 4 4 3 24
4 RPAYC Elliott 2 (Youth Development), Orlando Sadlik (RPAYC) 4 5 2 2 7 8 28
5 Bolt (VAUS302), Warwick Rooklyn (RPAYC) 6 2 4 11 11 6 40
