Harken 505, OK and 470 Class Australian Championships at Fremantle Sailing Club - Overall
by Jonny Fullerton of Regatta Services 23 Jan 23:39 PST
19-23 January 2026
Mal Higgins and Jesse Mitton take out Australian 5o5 title in style
Two races where scheduled on the final day with typical boisterous conditions similar to the day before with average Southerly's blowing between 17 - 20 knots with a steep sea state.
The 5o5 fleet were quickly out of the blocks to cross the pathfinder Caitlin Elks, crewed by Andrew Cawley. The young pair, new to the class were the chosen rabbit following her excellent 5th place finish in race 7. The 2 lap trapezoid course was a bit of a slog against some steep waves but highly entertaining downwind legs.
First to hoist their kite as they surged round the windward mark, rather predictably in these conditions, was current champions Peter Nicholas and Luke Payne but around 100m downwind a classic nosedive due to rudder failure effectively ended their chances of overhauling the series leaders Mal Higgins & Jesse Mitton.
The top five boats changed places several times in the squally downwind conditions but the one consistent face at the front end of the fleet was the regular Sharpie sailors from South Australia who both joined up from different boats to have a go at picking up their first 5o5 title.
It was a first series race win for Carter Jackson and Will Macdonald (MYC) closely followed by local ace Chris Paterson and Connal Hansford (FSC). Mal Higgins and Jesse Mitton (BSYC) in third.
With breeze increasing beyond the starting limit and big waves building, PRO John McKechnie had no choice but to call and end of play for the day, a fitting conclusion to the regatta.
Mal & Jesse had been super consistent over the five day regatta to win the championship by quite a margin. And so the Higgins sailing family dynasty continues - Until next time...
The 2027 5o5 Australian Nationals are scheduled to take place at Darling Point SS in Queensland.
5o5 Australian Nationals Overall Results: (top 3, 30 boats, full results here)
1 AUS 9191 - Mal Higgins & Jesse Mitton (BSYS) - Whiskey Tango Foxrot - BSYC
2 AUS 9059 - Chris Paterson & Conall Hansford - Venator - FSC
3 AUS 8801 - Pete Nicholas & Luke Payne - RFBYC/GKSS
OK Dinghy
The strong 40 boat OK Dinghy fleet started clean under U flag for their last race of their championship. Quite a few capsizes and breakages but most made it round the course in one piece. A clear winner stood out, none other than former champion Roger Blasse.
OK Dinghy Australia Nationals Overall Results: (top three, full results here)
1 AUS 1 - A few dollars more - Roger Blasse - 8pts - BYRC
2 AUS 88 - Slake - Brett Morris - 13pts - WSC
3 GBR 11 - Slingshot - Andy Davis - 13pts - SSSC
470 Class
The 470 pathway development squad reduced to just 6 boats for the start of their final race. Full results are available via the website link below.
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