Australian Fireball National Championship 2026 at Adelaide Sailing Club

Australian Fireball National Championship 2026 at Adelaide Sailing Club - Day 3

by Heather Macfarlane 4 Feb 05:17 PST 2-6 February 2026

Australian Fireball National Championship 2026 at Adelaide Sailing Club - Day 3 © Heather Macfarlane

Our results board is taking shape with 6 races completed by the end of today. The fireball fleet have gone retro with each team setting up their own score card and results being displayed in full glory.

It makes far more interesting conversation than the standard results sheet and hails back to a former era that many past fireballers will recall.

Race 5

Race 5 was sailed in a solid 8-12 knots from 190 degrees, providing good trapezing conditions and a welcome change from the lighter winds of the Day 2. With the breeze settling in, the fleet enjoyed a fast and tactical race that rewarded clean starts, good lane choice and confident boat handling.

The start was a clear one with the fleet well spread across the line and no recalls. Crews were straight onto the wire, and the early leaders included Brendan Garner and Ben O'Brien (15026), Chris Dance and Chris Payne (15152), John Heywood and Daniel George (14786), Ben Garner and Sam Williamson (14810) and Don White and Nicholas Luff (15000). Also prominent in the early stages were the French team Olivier Burgaud and Florence Devaux (15072), Rain Forbes and Patrick DiStefano (14545), Ben Schulz and Andy Thompson (15173) and Davin and Michael (14599).

At the wing mark the front of the fleet was tightly packed with Jeni and Peter Danks (15159) leading, followed closely by Chris and Chris (15152), Phil Peverell and Pete James (15027) and 14786, with Calin and Chris Went (1503), Nick and Simon Gunner (15175) and Jeni and Peter Danks (15159) all within striking distance.

A small right shift saw the boat order mix up a bit. Leading around the first top mark were Jeni and Peter (15159), closely followed by Chris and Chris (15152). Phil Peverell and Pete James continued their good performance from Day 2, rounding in 3rd position from race 1 winners John Heywood and Daniel George (14786).

Rounding the bottom mark Jeni and Pete (15159) still held the lead, with about 15 seconds back to Chris and Chris (15152) and Phil and Peter (15027), then a small gap to John and Daniel (14786) and Calin and Chris (1503). Phil and Pete (15027) tacked immediately after the mark and committed to the left-hand side of the course. That decision paid off, with 15027 making good gains up the beat and moving into second place.

By the final run the breeze had softened slightly to around 6-8 knots, and tactical positioning again became critical. Separating to the port side of the course down the last run allowed Chris and Chris (15152) to claw their way back past Phil and Pete (15027) and reclaim second place in a close and well-matched battle.

At the front, Jeni and Peter Danks (15159) held their nerve to secure a well-deserved win. Behind them, John and Daniel (14786) continued their remarkably consistent regatta with another strong 4th place, while Calin and Chris Went (1503) followed up their good form from earlier races to finish 5th.

Brendan and Ben (15026) crossed in 6th, followed by Ben Schulz and Andy Thompson (15173) in 7th. There was then a noticeable gap back to the next group, with Ben Garner and Sam Williamson (14810), Rain Forbes and Patrick DiStefano (14545), Jake and Dan Miller (14811), Davin Congrave and Michael Kelsey (14599) and the Italian team Matteo Bevilacqua and Elisa Ascoli (14503) all engaged in a tight mid-fleet tussle.

Further back, positions remained closely contested right through the fleet, with a particularly tight finish between Wayne Barnett and Laurent Guerrero (14487), young sailors Jess Overelle and James Gaskell (14745) and another young team Matilda Schulz and Will Humphreys (15101). In another close call Liam and Andrew Kean (14943) edged out visiting Kenyan sailorDon White sailing with Nicholas Luff (15000) for 20th place.

As might be expected from their lead, the results of Race 5 were:

Australian Fireball National Championship 2026 at Adelaide Sailing Club - Day 3 - photo © Heather Macfarlane

Race 6

Race 6 was sailed in around 7 knots from approximately 210 degrees, and after the stronger breeze of Race 5 it was a return to more tactical, positioning-based racing. The lighter conditions placed a premium on lane choice and reading the shifts, with the first beat proving decisive for much of the fleet.

At the start Chris Dance and Chris Payne (15152) led the charge towards the pin end, with Brendan Garner and Ben O'Brien (15026) also well placed on the pin. Davin Conigrave and Michael Kelsey (14599), Jake and Dan Miller (14811), the French team Olivier Burgaud and Florence Devaux (15072), Wayne Barnett and Laurent Guerrero (14487) and Jeni and Peter Danks (15159) were all in the mix. Further back, Peter and Jen Russell (15011) found themselves on the left-hand side, while Ben Garner and Sam Williamson (14810) started further to windward with a clear lane and good speed.

On the first beat the breeze veered right, and boats that had committed hard to the left were quickly finding themselves struggling to cross when tacking back on port, often having to take sterns through the fleet. Those who stayed more central or right were able to sail in clearer air and make steady gains.

At the top mark John and Daniel (14786) rounded in the lead, followed closely by Chris and Chris (15152) who tacked on the lay line. Calin and Chris Went (1503) were next around, with Myles and Finn (14777) and Jeni and Pete (15159) virtually tied behind them. Ben and Sam (14810) rounded well placed, followed by Phil and Pete (15027) and then Rain and Pat (14545).

By the bottom mark the order had begun to stabilise, with John and Daniel (14786) still leading, followed by Chris and Chris (15152), Calin and Chris (1503), Jeni and Pete (15159), Phil and Pete (15027) and Ben and Sam (14810). They were trailed by Myles and Finn (14777) and Rain and Pat (14545), with Brendan and Ben (15026) just behind. Jake and Dan Miller (14811), Glenn Peverell and Bruno Lanati (14414) and Davin and Michael (14599) rounded out the next group.

In the light and shifty conditions there were plenty of small tussles throughout the fleet, but with limited pressure it was difficult to make large gains without a clear shift or lane. As in earlier races, the front group managed to hold their advantage, while the mid-fleet remained tightly packed and highly competitive.

John and Daniel (14786) once again demonstrated impressive consistency, leading from the first mark and converting it into another strong result. Chris and Chris (15152) followed them home, with Calin and Chris Went (1503) continuing their excellent regatta with another top finish. Jeni and Peter Danks (15159) and Phil and Pete (15027) rounded out the top five after a closely fought race in the light breeze.

As might be expected from their lead, the results of Race 6 were:

John Heywood and Daniel George (14786)
Chris Dance and Chris Payne (15152)
Calin Went and Chris Went (1503)
Jeni Danks and Peter Danks (15159)
Phil Peverell and Pete James (15027)
Rain Forbes and Pat Di Stefano (14545)
Ben Garner and Sam Williamson (14810)
Ben Schulz and Andy Thompson (15173)
Myles Gavin and Finn Buckley (14777)
Brendan Garner and Ben O'Brien (15026)

After sailing the daily presentation included perpetual trophies presented to the race winners and a bottle of wine for each race winner and one for their raffle buddy, care of the sponsor @atasteofthehills

Today's recipients included:
For Race 5: Jeni and Peter Danks (15159) and their raffle buddies Nick Gunner (15175) and Wayne Barnett (14487). 2 raffle buddies occur if you have won a prize prior.
And for Race 6: John Heywood and Daniel George (14786) with two sets of race buddies Pete and Jen Russell (15011) and Myles Gavin (14777).

Progressive results can be found here.