The 2026 East Coast Championships concluded in spectacular fashion over the King’s Birthday Long Weekend, with 156 boats, more than 30 support RIBs and hundreds of sailors, coaches, officials and families converging on Sydney Harbour for one of Australia’s largest youth sailing regattas.
Organised by the NSW Optimist Association and hosted by Woollahra Sailing Club, the championship brought together competitors from across the East Coast, including a strong contingent from Queensland, to compete in Optimist Green Fleet, Intermediate Optimist, Open Optimist, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, 29er and 49er classes.
The event has helped fill an important gap in the Australian sailing calendar since the Sail Sydney Regatta ceased operating more than two years ago, once again providing a major youth sailing regatta on Sydney Harbour.
Sydney delivered its trademark winter sailing conditions throughout the weekend, with westerly winds ranging from 6 to 15 knots under clear blue skies. The favorable conditions enabled race officials to complete a full schedule of racing across both championship courses and all fleets.
Competitors were treated to a uniquely Sydney Harbour experience, with dolphins making regular appearances on the racecourses, seaplanes taking off and landing overhead, and Sydney ferries slowing to allow fleets to pass safely through the harbour. On the start line, the pin end was once again “guarded” by “Blues” the Labrador, a familiar presence at Optimist events, calmly observing proceedings from the pin end boat throughout racing.
Onshore, Woollahra Sailing Club transformed into a vibrant regatta village, with boats covering the rigging lawns and foreshore. Families, supporters and members of the public enjoyed the colorful atmosphere throughout the weekend, while local council representatives commented on the professionalism and organization of the event. More here.
