49er and 49erFX Nationals return to Lake Macquarie

The 49er and 49erFX Australian Nationals return to Lake Macquarie © Mary Manning

The 49er and 49erFX Nationals have returned to Lake Macquarie for a dedicated Nationals event from 14-17 November 2025. Hosted by South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club, and sponsored by the Bay Hotel, eighteen boats are participating in a 4 day racing program. In a new innovation for the Class in Australia, the regatta is using remote controlled MarkSetBots instead of traditional marks.

Amongst the strong fleet of eleven 49ers and seven 49er FX, the fleet comprises a mix of youth and experience - from 2024 Olympians, to Australian Sailing Team members, Australian Sailing Futures sailors, and those in their first year of 49er sailing having made the recent transition from the 29er class. One international boat is competing - the Hume sisters from New Zealand. Australian sailors from several states are competing - from NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia.

The intent of holding a dedicated 49er / 49er FX Nationals by the 9er Class Association was to encourage participation by 49er and 49er FX sailors with a busy international program to sail in a National event at a time of the year that did not interrupt international regatta commitments. This will also provide an opportunity for up and coming sailors to see members of the Australian Sailing Team in action and compete against them and test their skills.

After several years of a combined 9er Nationals with low participation by 49er and 49erFXs, the event was separated from the 29er Nationals scheduled to be held at the Sandy Bay Yacht Club, Tasmania from 3-9 January 2026,. This event will see a focus on the 29er Class, coinciding with the return of Australia's participation in the Youth Worlds generating renewed interest in the 29er Class, with four 29er Class representatives travelling to Vilamoura, Portugal in December 2025.

Meanwhile back at the 49er and 49erFX Nationals, days 1 and 2 have seen the fleet complete eight races. Day 1 saw a shifty sou' easter up to 15 knots. After racing, the 49er fleet was led by Harry Price and Max Paul with 2 firsts and 2 seconds, followed by Otto Henry and Sean Connor with two firsts and two thirds before a gap to the rest of the fleet. Daniel Links and Keizo Tomishima were in 3rd place.

In the 49erFX, experienced campaigners Laura Harding and Annie Wilmot led after Day 1 with a 4th, 6th, 1st and 2nd. This placed them ahead of Brooke Wilson and Evie Haseldine whose results of a 3rd, 2nd and 1st were dragged down by being on course side during the start sequence in the third race of the day. The Hume sisters were in 3rd place after Day 1.

Day 2 brought a steadily building nor'easter. Starting at around 14 knots and building to over 20 knots, the experienced crews were able to cement their places. After Day 2, the 49er leaderboard sees Harry Price and Max Paul retain 1st, Otto Henry and Sean Connor in 2nd, and Jack Ferguson and Jack Hildebrand moving up to 3rd.

In the 49er FX, the leaderboard remains unchanged with Laura Harding and Annie Wilmot cementing their place in 1st with 4 bullets, followed by Brooke Wilson and Evie Hasledine, and Nicole and Rebecca Hume in 3rd.

Racing continues for another two days with the westerly winds that have plagued Lake Macquarie all spring so far this year returning. Sailors can expect gusty and unpredictable conditions for the remaining two days of racing.

It's great to see the 49ers and 49erFXs back in force and racing on the lake.