Australian Sailing Team joins Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club racing series

Australian Sailing Team © Sail Media

The Australian Sailing Team (AST) is excited to announce its introduction into the Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club (Manly 16s) racing series, bringing Olympic-level athletes into one of Australia's most vibrant and competitive club racing environments for skiffs.

Located just across the harbour from the AST's National Training Centre at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, the Manly 16s offers some of the highest-quality weekend skiff racing in the country. The upcoming season will see AST athletes competing regularly within the 16ft Skiff fleet, providing invaluable opportunities to sharpen their skills in top-level fleet racing, right at home, while also strengthening connections with the local sailing community.

To ensure maximum participation alongside their demanding Olympic campaigns, the AST's 16ft Skiff will be crewed by a rotating lineup of team members across the season. This approach allows a valuable opportunity to sail with a wide range of athletes from different crews and classes to benefit from the competitive racing on offer, while also giving Club members the opportunity to connect with different Olympic and performance pathway athletes throughout the year.

Australian Sailing High Performance Director, Iain Brambell, said the announcement represents the perfect blend of performance and community, "The Manly 16s offer incredible racing, and the opportunity for our top-level athletes and performance pathway athletes to be a part of that environment is invaluable. It's not only about improving performance on the water, but also about connecting with the club members and sailing communities who form the backbone of our sport."

Manly 16s Sailing Manager, Graham Biehl, said the Club is excited to welcome AST sailors into its competitive fleet, "Manly 16s are thrilled with the AST joining our 16ft Skiff racing. We have the most competitive skiff racing in Australia with over 20 boats racing every Saturday, and we look forward to racing against the AST sailors."

He added that the Club has been proud to support the initiative from the outset, "To help AST sailors get on the water, Manly 16s provided an advance on 'prize money' which allowed the AST to purchase a suitable 16ft Skiff for racing. The advance is repayable by sailing at Manly and earning prize money, which is something we offer to anyone looking to join 16ft Skiff racing."

This collaboration also carries a strong sense of legacy. Australian Sailing CEO and Olympic gold medallist Malcolm Page grew up as an active member of the Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club, racing on weekends and even serving as Commodore from 2021 to 2023. His journey from junior sailor at Manly to the top of the Olympic podium and later returning to the 16ft Skiff fleet demonstrates the Club's ability to foster talent and sustain lifelong involvement in the sport.

Many Olympians past and present have returned to the 16ft Skiff class, drawn by its demanding racing environment and close-knit community. For the AST's Laura Harding and Annie Wilmot, it's a perfect way to get top-level fleet racing right here at home over summer. Nacra national squad brothers Jake and Brin Liddell are also keen to enjoy the kind of fleet numbers they'd usually only see in Europe. For the Club, their involvement adds further depth and profile to an already elite competition. Together, the announcement strengthens racing for everyone on the water and underscores the vital role of clubs in shaping the future of Australian sailing.

This initiative reinforces the critical link between community sailing and elite performance, highlighting how local clubs remain the heartbeat of Australia's Olympic success and the enduring legacy of skiff sailing in the nation.