The 2026 Oceania & Australian Open and Youth ILCA Championships were held from 3–8 January at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, bringing together more than 190 sailors across the ILCA 4, ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 classes. Competitors travelled from every Australian state as well as from 11 overseas nations, making this the largest ILCA championship ever run in Tasmania and the largest national regatta of any class in Australia this season.

The ILCA 4 (77 entries) and ILCA 6 (74 entries) were sailed in split fleets using a qualifying and finals format, while the ILCA 7 fleet (40 entries) raced as a single fleet. Racing took place over six days and 12 races in a wide range of conditions, from light and variable through to solid sea breezes, with all scheduled races completed.

Western Australia recorded an outstanding championship, winning the Battens Trophy for the best performing state across all classes. WA sailors also claimed overall honours in the ILCA 4, ILCA 6 and ILCA 7, a clean sweep that underlined the strength and depth of the state’s program.

A large number of WA’s top performers train regularly out of Fremantle Sailing Club, and several FSC members featured prominently throughout the regatta.

Fremantle Sailing Club sailor Thomas Cooper (WA, RFBYC/FSC) went into the final race level on points with Callum Simmons (VIC) and sealed the championship by winning the final heat on countback. Cooper was also crowned first Under 18, capping off an outstanding regatta for the FSC sailor.

FSC sailors also featured strongly across the youth divisions, with Seth Till (FSC/SoPYC) taking first Under 16, while Kai Nakayama (FSC) finished second Under 18. Murray Duthie, Hugh Healy, Oskar Bromberger, Pia Hooper and Isla Molyneux also represented Fremantle Sailing Club in the ILCA 4 fleet, contributing to WA’s overall strength.

The ILCA 6 fleet was dominated by the women, who filled nine of the top ten places overall. The battle at the front was led by two Olympians, with Emma Plasschaert (BEL) winning ahead of Maria Erdi (HUN). Third place and first Australian went to Zoe Thomson (WA, RFBYC).

The ILCA 6 fleet was dominated by the women, who filled nine of the top ten places overall. The battle at the front was led by two Olympians, with Emma Plasschaert (BEL) winning ahead of Maria Erdi (HUN). Third place and first Australian went to Zoe Thomson (WA, RFBYC).

The ILCA 7 fleet was dominated by Matt Wearn (WA, RPYC), who won six races and secured the championship before the final race was even sailed. Fellow WA sailors Zac Littlewood (RFBYC) and Ethan McAullay (RPYC) completed an all-WA podium.

Further strong WA results came from Michael Compton, Lawson McAullay, Patrick Scally, Xavier Bates (first Australian Under 21), Charles Allen Toyn, Issac Biczo and Josh Till, meaning five of the top ten places were filled by WA sailors.

WA’s success followed a high-quality lead-up, including a December training camp at Fremantle Sailing Club, where WA sailors were able to train and race against visiting Dutch and Irish Olympians. The championship campaign was supported by Chris Charlwood (ILCA 6 and 7 coach), Oliver Pabbruwe (ILCA 4 coach) and Tristan Brown coaching for Australian Sailing and WAIS through the ILCA 7 Futures Program.

The retention of the Battens Trophy, now proudly displayed at the FSC Dinghy Club, reflects not only the performances in Hobart but also the strength of the training environment being built at Fremantle Sailing Club.

Full results for the 2026 ILCA Oceania & Australian Championships are available here.