The closing weekend of the inaugural LGT Wealth Management Australia Cup delivered fantastic on-water battles across both the TP52 Australia and Super 40 fleets, along with the classic Sydney Harbour curveballs — ferries, tankers, other cruising and racing boats, Mother Nature’s full mix of conditions and even dolphins amongst the racing boats on Sunday.
On the leaderboard, Hooligan completed a clean sweep on IRC with twelve bullets, with ten firsts, a second and a third on TPR. Little Nico claimed the top spot on PHRF, and Botany Access took honours on ORC out of the nine races for the Super 40’s.
Competitors praised the accuracy of the rating systems, saying they’re helping both fleets continue to evolve. The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Race Management, led by Denis Thompson, staff and organisers did a brilliant job in the trying conditions to get the racing away, especially on the final day. Behind-the-scenes, TP52 Class President, Craig Neil and Terry Wetton were praised for their organisation of the inaugural event.
The top honour for Hooligan was fitting, as it was the last regatta for the boat and their owners Marcus Blackmore and Caroline Furlong. Long-time Hooligan Malcolm Page said, “You know it’s obviously quite an emotional day, it’s the end of an era for Marcus”.
“We were really grateful that the wind played ball for the two races today to be able to get two more wins under the belt for Marcus, and to have Caroline on the water watching us today was amazing,” commented helm of Hooligan, Katie Spithill.
“It’s been a long time without a complete picket fence, so it was a pretty nice day,” she smiled.
“I don’t think it’s ever happened to me before,” quipped Page, a dual Olympic champion and tactician on board Blackmore’s Hooligan.
Runner-up in both divisions was Peter White’s First Light, even with replacement helms for the final day in helm-coach Gordon Maguire and tactician James Wilkie. They were followed by Mark Spring’s Highly Sprung, which featured a number of youth from the CYCA’s Youth Sailing Academy, including tactician Cole Tapper, in third position.
In the Super 40 class, PHRF was won by Little Nico, skippered by Mitch White, seven and a half points ahead of Michael Ritchie’s Revolver. Justin Brownbill’s Botany Access took third place, just three points behind Revolver after the nine race series. On ORC, Botany Access edged ahead after two wins in Saturday’s passage races to take the title by three points from Little Nico. Micheal Fountain’s Bushranger rounded out the podium.
“The Super 40 fleet is eight years now in the making, and in the last sort of year, Craig and Terry invited us to join the TP52 race course, and we couldn’t be happier,” said winning PHRF skipper of Little Nico, Mitch White.
“We’re like best mates, but not out on the race course,” said Botany Access’ Justin Brownbill, winner on ORC of the relationship with competitor and fellow division winner White.
“It’s really excellent sailing,” continued Brownbill. “Today has been tough sailing. But we are really happy to be alongside the big boats. Happy to be included, it’s really awesome,” he said.
“Next year we’re going to have fifteen boats so it’s going to be absolutely amazing sailing,” White exclaimed.
The LGT Wealth Management Australia Cup was the first of its kind, an extension of the grand prix racing that the TP52 class have competed in recently in Australia, with the addition of the Super 40 class. The racing was held over two weekends, 11-12 October and 25-26 October 2025 with the results calculated over both weekends to name the champions across four divisions.
“The concept of the Australian Cup I think is a wonderful idea. You know sailing is probably hurting a little bit in Australia so we’ve got to keep the pedal to the metal and I think bringing the two fleets together was an awesome idea and I hope everyone gets together and really pushes that along for our sport in Australia,” concluded Page, also CEO of Australian Sailing, the sport’s governing body.
Thanks to naming rights sponsor LGT Wealth Management for their support of the new double header, as well as Zhik, who have now supported the TP52 class for six years, and new event sponsor Hancock & Hancock for coming on board.
All writing, photo and video credits: Nic Douglass for @sailorgirlhq as marked.
For more information or audio-visuals:
Nic Douglass
Content Manager || TP52 Association Australia
nic@sunsetmedia.co || +61402454885