Cole Tapper crowned back-to-back winner of Warren Jones International Match Racing Regatta
by Alex Dare 31 Jan 05:01 PST
27-30 January 2026
Cole Tapper and his team Jack Frewin, Max Brennan, Tim Howse and Kieran Bucktin (L-R) - 2026 Warren Jones International Regatta © Alex Dare - Tidal Media Australia
Cole Tapper and his team Max Brennan, Jack Frewin, Tim Howse and Kieran Bucktin from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia sailed a stellar Finals Day to claim back-to-back Warren Jones wins.
The team sailed a consistent and strong regatta, but the win didn't come without its challenges on Day 1, "it's been a really big week for us, we lost our bowman Hamish with a broken thumb" Tapper said.
Despite the setback the team managed to secure Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club local Kieran Bucktin who put his hand up to join the team for the remainder of the regatta.
"It wasn't a small task, so we learnt through the week. We definitely got close to death, especially in the Semi's" he said.
Thursday afternoon saw Tapper down 0-2 to Matais Rossing in the Semi Finals in a best to three wins format which required Tapper to come out of the gates swinging on Friday afternoon to secure his spot in the Final.
In class fashion, Tapper came back on Friday afternoon scoring three wins in the Semi Finals and secured his ticket to the Final against Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club local Marcello Torre.
Building on his momentum in the Semi Finals, Tapper and his team put on a show against Torre to seal the deal as back-to-back champions in just two matches.
For regatta results, head to www.warrenjonesregatta.com/2026results.
For more information about the regatta, head to www.warrenjonesregatta.com
Sydney skipper wins by John Roberson
Cole Tapper joins an illustrious list of double winners of the Warren Jones International Youth Regatta by defending his title on Perth's Swan River today. He made an astonishing come from behind semi-final win after starting the final day of the event 2 - 0 down to Danish skipper Matias Rossing, before winning five races in a row to put his name on the trophy for the second time.
Tapper and his crew, representing Sydney's Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, showed calm and composure under pressure to first win the semi-final 3 - 2. He then faced a very steely eyed local skipper Marcello Torre in the final, but took control from the start of both final heats to win 2 - 0.
In gutsy conditions, with the sea breeze gusting up to 20 knots the Tapper crew of Max Brennan, Jack Frewin, Tim Howse and Kieran Bucktin were masters of their craft, getting the better of Torre on the starting line of each race and then staying ahead with smart tactics. When accepting the trophy the winning skipper was full of praise for both his semi-final and final opponents.
"Matias, you had us on the ropes, we were lucky to fight back," he commented about the Dane, then saying "we are over the moon to win this historic trophy again." Tapper was also full of praise for his bowman Kieran Bucktin, who stepped in at the last moment when the regular bowman, Hamish Vass, broke his thumb on the first day.
The Warren Jones Regatta, which was hosted by the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, is for teams under the age of 25. This year was Torre's last opportunity to win the trophy, as he will be two old next year, but Tapper has the chance to become the first ever skipper to win it three times.
Results:
1. Cole Tapper CYCA AUS
2. Marcello Torre RFBYC AUS
3. Matias Rossing RDYC DEN
4. Daniel Kemp RPAYC AUS
5. Josh Hyde RNZYS NZL
6. Ben Crafoord CYCA AUS
7. Ethan Fong RNZYS NZL
8. Zac West RSYS GBR
9. Hayden Smith RNZYS NZL
10. Mia Lovelady RFBYC AUS
11. Angus Cameron RFBYC AUS
12. William McAullay RPYC AUS