Fireball Youth Take Flight at Lake Bullen Merri

Brendan Garner & Simon Gunner finishing race 6 during the Inaugural Fireball Australian Youth Championships © Glen Donovan

The Fireball class continues to inspire the next generation of sailors, with the first-ever Fireball Australian Youth Championship delivering a spectacular debut over three days at Lake Bullen Merri, Victoria.

Eighteen boats from three states gathered over Easter, with nine youth teams hitting the water for a regatta packed with variety, excitement, and plenty of competitive spirit. Held alongside the open fleet, the youth championship drew family crews and emerging talent alike—showcasing the depth of future stars in the class.

Day 1 - Close Quarters and Confused Courses

The opening day brought great racing conditions and plenty of adrenaline—but also some confusion. The race committee's interpretation of the course didn't quite align with the sailors', leading to some off-water discussion post-race. Nonetheless, the racing was fast and fiercely fought.

Nick and Sam Gunner crossed first, just ahead of Cadet World Champion Josh Garner and Fireball National Champion Ben O'Brien, who teamed up for the regatta. Heather Macfarlane and Chris Payne rounded out the top three.

Ben & Matilda Schulz two sail reaching on day 3 of the Inaugural Fireball Australian Youth Championships - photo © Glen Donovan

Day 2 - Light Winds and Tactical Duels

The breeze lightened on day two, forcing sailors to rely on patience and strategy. Two races were completed before the third was abandoned due to a complete shutdown of the wind.

Josh Garner and Ben O'Brien made a strong statement with a 1st and 2nd, taking control of the championship leaderboard.

Ben Garner and Sam Williamson also impressed with a 3rd and 5th, while Charlie Stevens and Will Farnell posted solid performances in the tricky conditions.

Day 3 - Wind, Speed, and Family Rivalries

The final day saw the breeze return, bringing with it three high-octane races. Adding spice to the day, reigning Fireball National Champion Brendan Garner joined the action, sailing with Simon Gunner in a bid to challenge his son Josh.

What followed was a thrilling series of duels between Brendan/Simon and Josh/Ben, with both boats clearing away from the rest of the fleet in all three races. It was a masterclass from both generations.

Other standout youth teams included Calin and Chris Went, and Ben Garner with Sam Williamson, all of whom pushed hard and were tight on points by regatta's end.

The championship proved the perfect mix of fun, family, and fierce racing and we thank Yachting Western Victoria for letting us be a part of their Easter Regatta. The regatta also marked a promising future for youth sailors in the Fireball class and we look forward to seeing their numbers grow.

The class now turns to the World Championship at Lago di Garda in Italy with Australia sending the largest team to Europe for a World Championships (2025.fireballworlds.com).

Youth Nationals Results:

1st Josh Garner / Ben O'Brien
2nd Calin Went / Chris Went
3rd Ben Garner / Sam Williamson - 1st Double Youth
4th Ben Schulz / Matilda Schulz
5th Charley Stevens / Will Farnell - 2nd Double Youth
6th Imogen Farnell / Finn Buckley - 3rd Double Youth

Overall Results: