New Zealand's top talent praises the Warren Jones International Regatta for its competition
by Alex Dare 28 Jan 22:49 PST
27-30 January 2026
Torre v Tapper Pre-Start - 2026 Warren Jones International Regatta © Alex Dare - Tidal Media Australia
Day 2 of competition heated up at the 2026 Warren Jones International Regatta, with the Freo Doctor producing some glamour racing conditions which led to local talent Marcello Torre sitting in first after Day 2.
Amongst the local Perth and Australian talent, there is also strong New Zealand representation with three teams from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
The Warren Jones has gained a reputation on the match racing circuit for its high calibre racing, hospitality and notably the Foundation 36's, attracting some of New Zealand's top match racing talent.
Hayden Smith from Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron said, "we all love it here, it's stunning conditions, it's always going to fill in every afternoon, so you know you're going to be on the water having lots of fun".
"We don't really get a lot in larger boats and to do it in the Foundation 36's compared to an Elliot 7 is lots of fun" he said.
Another highlight amongst the sailors is the famous Freo Doctor which produces glamour match racing conditions on the Swan River.
Ollie Lloyd from Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron said, "it's actually to be honest been great, it's been really good just to have some big breeze and some big battles".
Hosted by the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, the club has a reputation for its hospitality, Lloyd sharing how "Perth just a wonderful facility, the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, we love sitting up on the lawn, nothing better than having a beer in the sun at eight o'clock".
Moving into the penultimate day of the regatta, sailors will hit the water at 1015 to complete the final matches of the round robin before we kick off the quarter finals.
For regatta results, head to www.warrenjonesregatta.com/2026results.
For more information about the regatta, head to www.warrenjonesregatta.com.