JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship 2026 - Invitation Race

JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship 2026 Invitation Race - Spinnakers on the way to Robertson Point © SailMedia

The traditional Invitation Race got the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship 2026, presented by The Winning Group, under way in a 8-10 knot SE breeze on Sydney Harbour today and produced an absorbing contest which wasn't decided until the final one hundred metres of the long South-East course.

At the finish, it was the Australian champion Balmain team of Henry Larkings, Tom Grimes and Lachlan Pryor who won the day narrowly from a 'gutsy' Smeg team of Ash Rooklyn, Josh Porebski and Niall Morrow, which had led for almost the entire race.

JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship 2026 Invitation Race - Smeg's crew approach the mark at Robertson Point - photo © SailMedia

Defending champion Yandoo (John Winning Jr, Fang Warren and Lewis Brake) finished in third place, ahead of Shaw and Partners Financial Services (Keagan York), Vaikobi (Kirk Mitchell) and Brisbane's GC Sails (Scott Cunningham).

The battle between Balmain and Smeg was a brilliant way to start the carnival as the pair raced the entire course in the top two positions with the margin between them at just two rounding marks extending beyond 20 secs.

JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship 2026 Invitation Race - Australian champion Balmain wins - photo © SailMedia

A majority of the fleet went to the RHS of Shark Island on the beat from the start in Taylors Bay to the weather mark in Rose Bay where Balmain led narrowly from Smeg, Queensland's Big Foot Bags & Covers (Dave Hayter), Shaw and Partners Financial Services NZ (Eli Liefting), Shaw and Partners (Aust), Yandoo, Lazarus Capital Partners (Tom Cunich), Club Marine (Emma Rankin), Vaikobi and GC Sails.

JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship 2026 Invitation Race - Spectacular spinnakers - photo © SailMedia

In a spectacular spinnaker run across the harbour to Robertson Point the two leaders extended their break over the rest of the fleet as Smeg rounded the mark just 8s ahead of Balmain. Shaw and Partners (Aust) was 50s back in third place ahead of Yandoo and Shaw and Partners (NZ). GC Sails was next with Vaikobi, Sixt (Jacob Marks) and Fisher & Paykel (Brett Van Munster) close behind.

A match race developed between the two leaders on the beat to Clark Island where Smeg led by 20s as spinnakers were set for the spinnaker run to Chowder Bay. Balmain was 55s ahead of Shaw and Partners (Aust) with Yandoo 1m35s from the lead in fourth place.

JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship 2026 Invitation Race - The USA team on the spinnaker run to Chowder Bay - photo © SailMedia

The margins between the first three boats was unchanged at Chowder but it was the beat across to Rose Bay where Smeg's crew produced some brilliant sailing to increase the leading margin to 40s.

On the following spinnaker run to Taylors Bay, Balmain and Yandoo both gained significant time on the leader and the race was back on with only 8s separating Smeg and Balmain as they headed back across the harbour to Rose Bay.

JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship 2026 Invitation Race - Smeg leads down the first spinnaker run - photo © SailMedia

Balmain took advantage of a slightly slower mark rounding by Smeg and crossed to grab a narrow lead but Smeg returned the favour on the next cross and took it back. Smeg then extendd the margin and once again Smeg's lead got back out to 32.

Balmain's downwind boat speed has been outstanding all season, particularly in lighter winds, and she reduced the margin back to just 3-4 boat lengths at Robertson Point as the pair headed for home near Clark Island.

JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship 2026 Invitation Race - Heading for the finish - photo © SailMedia

Smeg went to the right and Balmain to the left; when they came together near Clark Island Balmain had regained the lead once more and crossed the finish line with the narrow winning margin and plenty of confidence for the championship regatta, which begins tomorrow.

The championship is expected to be one of the most closely contested JJs for several years. If today's racing is any indication, we are in for a tremendous series which may come down to an overall decision as close as today's race.

The Australian 18 Footers League's spectator ferry will follow all seven race days during the championship and tickets may be purchased here.

SailMedia will live stream every race day during the 2026 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship, presented by The Winning Group.

Race Dates:

• Saturday March 7, 2026 Race 1, George Calligeros Trophy
• Sunday March 8, 2026 Race 2, Cliff Monkhouse Memorial Trophy
• Tuesday March 10, 2026 Races 3 & 4, Alan Cole Memorial Trophy
• Wednesday March 11, 2026 Races 5 & 6, AJ Reynolds Trophy
• Thursday March 12, 2026 Race 7, Bill Miller Memorial Trophy
• Saturday March 14, 2026 Race 8, Bill Kite Memorial Trophy
• Sunday March 15, 2026 Race 9, Ribbon and JJ Giltinan Trophy

List of Entries: