Five days of world class racing, classic Fremantle sea breeze conditions and a boat park buzzing with energy made the Harken Fremantle Nationals 2026 a regatta to remember.

Across the 505, OK Dinghy and 470 fleets, sailors were tested in everything from tactical lighter seabreezes to full strength Fremantle Doctor conditions with steep seas and big breeze. While the weather turned up the challenge, it also delivered exactly what Fremantle is famous for, high performance and physical racing on an iconic race track.

Off the water, the atmosphere around Fremantle Sailing Club was just as strong, with competitors, volunteers and members coming together to create a true championship feel throughout the week.

Here is how it all played out across the three classes.

The 505 fleet saved some of the most dramatic racing for last, with the Fremantle Doctor arriving in full force for the final days of the regatta. Breezes pushing well over 20 knots and a steep sea state made for spectacular and physical sailing, with capsizes, gear failures and big downwind rides keeping everyone on their toes.

At the front of the fleet, Mal Higgins and Jesse Mitton from South Australia were the benchmark all week. In their first season sailing together in the 505, the pair showed outstanding consistency across the series to secure the Australian Championship title in style.

Fremantle Sailing Club had plenty to cheer about, with local stars and former national champions Chris Paterson and Connal Hansford sailing an excellent regatta to finish second overall. Their speed and experience in the big breeze kept them firmly in the title fight right to the end.

Reigning champions Peter Nicholas and Luke Payne were also in contention but suffered a heartbreaking rudder failure in the final race, ending their charge and leaving them third overall.

The depth of Fremantle Sailing Club talent was evident throughout the fleet, with half of the top ten sailors representing FSC, including Tessa Parkinson, Thor Schoenhoff, Nic Mariani, Jake Bessen and Michael Duffield.

That strong local presence carried through to presentation night, where Tessa Parkinson claimed the Ladies Trophy, Chris Paterson and Connal Hansford were recognised as Grand Masters winners, and Nic Mariani received the Most Improved award.

Other notable 505 award winners included Roy Woodcock as Best Rookie, Nele Soekler and Thore Kiesbye as Classic Champions, and Roger Pell with Ed Repsevicius receiving the Encouragement Award.

In another major highlight for the home club, Western Australia secured the prestigious 505 Teams Trophy, with the winning team made up predominantly of FSC sailors.

505 Overall Results Top Three:

1. Mal Higgins and Jesse Mitton
2. Chris Paterson and Connal Hansford from FSC
3. Peter Nicholas and Luke Payne

If sailors came to Fremantle looking for classic OK Dinghy conditions, they got more than they bargained for. With 41 boats on the start line, this was one of the strongest Australian OK fleets in years, featuring past world champions, current world number one Andy Davis from Great Britain, and a deep field of national and state title holders.

From the very first reach, the tone was set with big breeze, steep seas and full commitment required. Across the week, sailors described the racing as hard, exhausting and epic, a true test of skill, fitness and resilience.

Consistency proved to be the key, and no one did it better than Roger Blasse, who delivered a masterclass series to claim his thirteenth Australian OK Dinghy Championship. Behind him, the battle for the remaining podium places was intense, with Brett Morris and Andy Davis pushing hard all week.

While the racing was fierce on the water, the camaraderie off it was just as memorable, with sailors and volunteers coming together for social events and long post-race debriefs.

The regatta was expertly delivered under Principal Race Officer John McKechnie, with strong support from race officials, volunteers and FSC staff, ensuring a smooth championship in very testing conditions.

OK Dinghy Overall Results Top Five:

1. Roger Blasse
2. Brett Morris
3. Andy Davis
4. Brent Williams
5. Mike Williams

Additional divisional winners included:

• First Female Pamela Johnston
• First Handicap Brent Williams
• First Junior Patrick Scally
• First Grand Master Mark Freddy Phillips

The 2026 Australian 470 Championships may have had a smaller fleet, but the racing was no less intense. With eight races sailed and seven of them in moderate to heavy breeze, it was a physically demanding week that rewarded strength, teamwork and smart boat handling.

Local sailors gave the home crowd plenty to celebrate, with Axle Fleet and Jamie Randall dominating the regatta to claim the Men’s Australian 470 Championship title. Their impressive scoreline marked Jamie’s third consecutive national title.

In the Mixed division, Ben Hinks and Fallon Katz secured the Australian Championship after a tight series, finishing just one point ahead of Sophie Jackson and Austin Cross, with Alice Buchanan and Angus Higgins rounding out the mixed podium.

The 470 fleet was warmly welcomed into the shared championship atmosphere with the 505 and OK Dinghy sailors, rounding out a fantastic week of national level racing at Fremantle Sailing Club.

The 2026 Nationals were proudly supported by Harken as Naming Rights Sponsor, with North Sails joining as an official event sponsor. The regatta was also supported by Nail Brewing, who helped keep both competitors and the many hardworking volunteers refreshed throughout the week.

We thank the Western Australian Government, through the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, for their event funding support, which played an important role in the successful delivery of the Harken Fremantle Nationals 2026 and in bringing national-level sailing to Fremantle.

Helly Hansen supplied the regatta volunteer shirts seen throughout the boat park and on the water, while Monkey Fist Marine supported the event by providing bow stickers and shirt logos at cost.

The support of these partners, combined with the outstanding work of race officials, volunteers and Fremantle Sailing Club staff, played a major role in delivering a safe, professional and memorable championship in true Fremantle conditions.

Full race results for the 505, OK Dinghy and 470 Australian Championships are available via the official event results page.