SAILING Champions League - Asia Pacific

29/03/2026

Finals day delivered.

Tighter racing, more predictable breeze, and a finish that came down to inches on Newcastle, Australia Harbour. After 24 qualifying races, it all came down to one last showdown, with Derwent Sailing Squadron edging out Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club in a drag race to the line.

Champions crowned, tickets to Germany secured.

Watch the highlights from an incredible final day.

29/03/2026

Excitement was rife in Newcastle Harbour today as competitors started their day completing a 12km Hill to Harbour and being first on the scene for a vessel fire, before the Sailing Champions League Asia Pacific Final entered its closing stages.

After a shifty day on the water yesterday, the wind settled into a more predictable pattern, giving competitors a more even playing field for the final day.

“We are pretty new to sailing together and this format, so we’re happy with how we performed. We were up against some very experienced crews,” said Jesse Frisch, skipper of Whitsunday Sailing Club.

After 24 races in the Qualifying Round, the top four teams advanced to the Finals. Qualifying winners Derwent Sailing Squadron carried one win into the decider, needing just one more to secure the title.

Following a short recess, the final got underway with a congested start line in the closing seconds. All boats launched cleanly, however a brush with the mark forced Derwent into a penalty turn.

Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club took an early lead, closely followed by Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club and Cercle Nautique Calédonien.

Joe de K**k quickly closed the gap, making gains through the fleet. By the final gate, Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club held a narrow half boat length lead, setting up a drag race to the finish. In a final push, de K**k edged ahead by less than a boat length to claim the win and the title.

“It’s a pretty awesome crew, and they can do some incredible things,” de K**k said. “After racing was cancelled on Friday, we even had time for a few drinks at the Club and signed up for the Hill to Harbour run.”

Event organiser Mark Turnbull OAM said the finale captured the spirit of the event.

“The final race had everything. Tight racing, pressure moments and a finish that could not have been closer,” Turnbull said. “It’s a credit to the teams and a great showcase for sailing on Newcastle Harbour.”

Overall standings saw Joe de K**k (Derwent Sailing Squadron) 1st, Angus Cameron (Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club) 1st Under 23, and Jessica Campbell (Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club) 1st women’s skipper.

The winning teams will now progress to the World Finals in Germany this August.

29/03/2026

Sailing Champions League Asia Pacific Finals and SailFest Newcastle have come to a close as we presented prizes to our teams.

Jessica Campbell from Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club took first place for female skipper.
Angus Cameron and his team from Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club took first place for under 23s.

Overall, results are:
Joe de K**k's Derwent Sailing Squadron team - first
Angus Cameron's RFBYC team - second
Arthur Bell's NCYC team - third
Pierrick Oghino's team from Cercle Nautique Calédonien - fourth
Jesse Frisch's team from Whitsunday Sailing Club - fifth
Jessica Campbell's NCYC team - sixth

Thank you to our dedicated race officials and onwater support vessels who delivered high quality racing with a fast turn around, and thank you to the teams, especially those who travelled far, for participating. Finally, thanks to Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club for supporting the event and City of Newcastle for the incredible sailing destination.

29/03/2026

The team from Derwent Sailing League have taken the day!

Heading into the finals, Joe de K**k's team needed one win to secure their victory, and in the first race, it looked out of reach after a penalty on the start line forced them to tack and gybe.

However, the team had energy to spare after a 12km Hill to Harbour run this morning which slowly caught them up to the rest of the fleet and narrowly beating the team from Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club by a hair.

City of Newcastle

29/03/2026

The qualifying round is over and the teams are having a short break ahead of the finals.

The teams competing in the finals are Derwent Sailing Squadron, Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, Cercle Nautique Calédonien, and Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club team 1.

Finals scheduled to start from 1:15pm
Sailfest Newcastle City of Newcastle

29/03/2026

Racing for the final day of the SAILING Champions League: Asia Pacific is underway. Live Tracking and scores can be found here: https://sailing-championsleague.asia/2025-26-sailing-champions-league-asia-pacific-finals/

28/03/2026

The Sailing Champions League Asia Pacific Final commenced today on Newcastle Harbour, following yesterday’s storm force wind warning that resulted in the postponement.

While conditions had eased, competitors were met with a complex and highly tactical racecourse, as overcast skies combined with shifting breeze and a strong outgoing tide added to the test.

Set against the dynamic backdrop of the Port of Newcastle, the fleet initially spread across the course as teams searched for pressure. As the day progressed, racing tightened significantly, with close-quarters manoeuvring and fast-paced sprints to the finish line becoming a defining feature of the opening day.

For the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club team, the intensity of the format and strength of competition were immediately apparent.

Natalie, sailing with skipper Art Bell, said the regatta presented a unique challenge.

“It’s really tough racing. The level of competition is extremely high, and the course and format are quite different to what we’re used to. It makes for a physically demanding event,” she said.

Competitors from Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club also emphasised the challenges.

“The wind was very shifty, and you had to constantly reassess your positioning after every mark rounding,” they said. “The short-format racing really pushes you to make quick decisions and back your team.”

Among those adapting quickly were the team from Derwent Sailing Squadron, featuring Tom and Grace Stearnes alongside Joe de K**k.

“We originally planned to do the Pittwater-Coffs race this weekend which would have been largely one tack,” Tom said. “Today has been the complete opposite, with constant manoeuvring and pressure changes across the course.”

After 15 races on Day 1, Joe de K**k’s Novocastrian-Tasmanian team leads the standings. However, strong performances from Cercle Nautique Calédonien and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club ensure the competition remains tightly contested.

With variable conditions and a highly competitive international fleet, the Sailing Champions League Asia Pacific Final is set to deliver another compelling day of racing as teams continue their push for the title.

28/03/2026

Racing has wrapped for the day at the Sailing Champions League Asia Pacific Finals, with an outstanding effort from all teams seeing 15 races completed in challenging conditions.

Shifting winds and a strong tide tested even the most experienced crews, making for tight, tactical racing throughout the day.

Derwent Sailing Squadron currently leads the standings, with Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and Cercle Nautique Calédonien close behind heading into finals racing.

We return tomorrow from 10am at Honeysuckle Wharf for what promises to be a decisive day on the water.

City of Newcastle

19/11/2025

The early entry discount for all teams registering for the 2026 SAILING Champions League: Asia Pacific Final (27–29 March 2026, Newcastle, Australia) has been extended through to the 1st of January 2026.

Secure your spot today by completing the online entry form here: https://sailing-championsleague.asia/2025-26-sailing-champions-league-asia-pacific-finals/

Image credit: Down Under Sail ⛵

09/11/2025