2026 Skelcon Australian 16ft & 13ft Skiff Championships at Belmont 16s Sailing Club - Overall
by Belmont 16s Sailing Club 10 Jan 23:09 PST
4-11 January 2026
The ninth and final race of the 2026 Skelcon 16 and 13 Ft Skiff Championship delivered a completely different test to the fleet, with conditions a sharp contrast to the previous day. A cool south-south-easterly breeze of around 20 knots swept across the course, bringing lower visibility and a noticeably choppier in places, giving a more demanding race environment.
The starting line was remarkably clean for a championship decider, setting the stage for a dramatic final showdown. BOSKER BUILD, skippered by Sarah Lee from St George Sailing Club, sailed an outstanding race, attacking aggressively from the outset. Rather than engaging closely with the surrounding skiffs, Lee committed to sailing her own race, taking calculated risks that ultimately paid off in decisive fashion.
For the Belmont locals, hopes were heartbreakingly dashed when Shade to Order was forced to retire with gear and equipment issues (broken Boom Vang), a devastating blow that unfolded in dramatic circumstances.
On the water today, Canberra Airport from Manly Skiff Club led much of race 9, showing strong pace in the heavy conditions. However, consistency across the series proved the difference, with the overall 16 Foot Skiff Championship title going to Sarah Lee and the BOSKER BUILD team.
Overall Results: (top three)
2026 Skelcon 16ft Skiff Championship
1. Bosker Build - Sarah Lee / Keagan York / Kurtis Warner (St George)
2. Shade to Order - Tom Burton / Scott Beeby / Joel Skelton (Belmont)
3. Buckingham Marine Services - Daniel Turner / Gus Williams / Matt Stenta (Manly)
13ft Skiff Championship Results:
1. Harken - Heidi Bates / Christian Spencer (Manly)
2. Buck & Simple - Lachlan Jansen / Max Barrett (Manly)
3. Buckingham Marine - Ash Napper / Theo Franklin (Manly)
4. Skelcon - Hamish Skelton / Sophie Drummond (Belmont)
Full results available here.